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A 

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STATEMENT 



PROCEEDINGS IN THE FIRST SOCIETY IN COVENTRY 



CONNECTICUT, 



Which terminated 



IN THE REMOVAL OF THE PASTOR 



WITH AN 



ADDRESS 



TO HIS LATE PEOPLE, 



BY ABIEL ABBOT, 

Late Faator of the First Church in Coventry 



" Neither as being lords over God's heritage." 

J BOSTON : 

PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY JOHN ELIOT, JUN 
NO. 4, COURT STREET 

1811. 



<fi 



in^ 






STATEMENT, &c. 



THE unhappy controversy which has existed for many 
months in the first ecclesiastical society in Coventry, Con- 
necticut, having at length terminated in the removal of the 
pastor, the reasons and the manner of it may be a subject of 
interesting inquiry among many who have not the means of 
correct information. 

As I would now gladly find that repose which is congenial 
with my temper, principles and habits, and escape from the 
painful scenes which have embittered the close of my minis- 
try, it is not without reluctance that I have yielded to the im- 
portunity of friends, and to the request and reasonable ex- 
pectation of many persons at a distance, to give a plain, un- 
varnished statement of facts, and such remarks as may set 
the whole controversy in a just point of light. The task which 
I undertake is delicate ; but I shall not needlessly wound any 
man's feelings. I will bring no railing accusation. The men 
from whom I have differed, I have loved; the men from 
whom I have suffered, I have respected ; and to none am I 
conscious to this hour of feeling an unfriendly sentiment. 
From the heart I wish them grace, mercy and peace from 
God the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. 

In February, 1795, I began to preach as a candidate to the 
first ecclesiastical society in Coventry ; and in October fol- 
lowing, with unanimity in the church and society, was ordained 
to the pastoral office. Except by a very few of the church, 



•very little dissatisfaction with my opinions was manifested to 
me before February, 1810, when most of the brethren met 
at my house to inquire and to converse concerning my opin- 
ions. Two of them having stated their sense of the impor- 
tance of their own opinion concerning Christ and justification, 
desired me to express my views, with a summary of my rea- 
sons for them. On the first point my opinion was stated to 
this effect, That the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ 
is the only true God, and that Jesus Christ, being the Son of 
God, has derived all from him. To the inquiry, What is the 
ground of the sinner's justification before God ? My reply 
was, The mercy of God. After some conversation I observ- 
ed, that I perceived there was a difference of opinion between 
me and some, if not all of the church ; and perhaps of the 
society also, and on points in their view fundamental. That 
if this were fact, I could not probably be a very edifying or 
useful preacher to them ; and was therefore willing, if it was 
the desire of the church and society, whatever domestick in- 
convenience it might be to me, that my pastoral relation 
should be dissolved. It was replied, that they wished nothing 
done rashly, and that except what arose from this difference of 
opinion, they had no desire that the connexion should be dis- 
solved. 

After this interview, the members of the church, without 
requesting the attendance of the pastor, held frequent meet- 
ings ; and in June following most of them met at my house 
for further inquiry and conversation in regard to my opinions. 
The result of this interview however was not satisfactory. 

At this meeting, they requested me to preach on the sub- 
jects about which we differed. I complied with their request 
in several discourses ; stating my opinions, not in a contro- 
versial manner, and without impugning, in any material re- 
spect, the opinions of the aggrieved brethren. 

In September I received a written request " to warn a 
church meeting, to consider and resolve on proper measures 
to be adopted and pursued under our present difficulties." 
On the 13th the church met. After opening the meeting 
with prayer, I made some observations with a view to concil- 
iate the minds of the brethren? and to convince them that the 



points concerning which we had different opinions, were not 
fundamental. 

The church notwithstanding voted their belief of several 
articles acknowledged by them to be incomprehensible , and 
yet not expressed in scripture language. To my mind this 
appears nothing short of a bold attempt to explain incom- 
prehensibility; and even further, to palm on conscience a 
human gloss for divine truth. However, they immediately 
proceeded to vote to this effect, That as their pastor neither 
preached nor believed these incomprehensible doctrines thus 
explained in their own terms, it is expedient to apply to the 
Association of ministers in the county of Tolland for advice. 

October 2d. the church was advised by the Association to 
take proper measures for convening the council of the conso- 
dated churches in the county of Tolland. Being present at 
the time, I observed to the Association, that, in my appre- 
hension, there was no Consociation in the county ; and if 
there were, that I did not consider myself amenable to it. 
But that I was willing to unite with the church in submitting 
our difficulties to a mutual council. The committee of the 
church who were present, said they were not authorized by 
the church to agree upon such council, and that they thought 
the ministers and churches in the county a more suitable 
board, to consider and decide the difficulties. 

At a church meeting on the 9th. of October, I stated to the 
church reasons for my settled opinion, that there was no Con- 
sociation in the county, to take cognizance of our difficulties. 
This brief reply was made to my statement by a member, that 
a plea against jurisdiction was not to be made to the church ; 
and the church then voted compliance with the advice of the 
Association. 

At the request of the church, the society met on the 15th. 
of November, and declined calling the Consociation ; proposed 
a mutual council, and passed other votes relating to existing 
difficulties. In consequence of the proposal of the society to 
convene a mutual council, the church met November 2 1st. and 
voted to unite with the pastor and society in convening a mu- 
tual council, "provided we shall be able to agree with him and 
the society on the churches from which such council shall be 
called:' 



On the 27th. of November, there was a convention of the 
committees of the church and society with the pastor. The 
committee of the society, in order to promote the desired 
accommodation, after some conversation, waved their right of 
selecting any members of the council. The committee of the 
church and myself then attempted to agree on the churches 
from which the council should be called. And on the 30th. 
we met again for the same purpose, but a majority of the com- 
mittee of the church then refused a mutual council. The ma- 
jority of the church, being still anxious for a mutual council, 
after several meetings by themselves, a committee inquired, 
Whether it would be agreeable to me to unite with the church 
and society in a mutual council to dissolve my pastoral rela- 
tion ? To this inquiry I replied, That I had always been, and 
still was ready to join in calling such council, when the church 
and the society should desire it, and that should such council 
be called, the reasons of my dismission, and all existing diffi- 
culties, must be laid before them. 

Febuary 20th. the church voted to unite with their pastor in 
calling a mutual council to dissolve the pastoral relation sub- 
sisting between him and them. The society dissented from 
this proposal, refusing to join in calling a council thus restrict- 
ed, and bound to dissolve the connexion. Disappointed in this 
attempt, the church committee then proposed to join with 
me in calling a mutual council to dismiss me, without the so- 
ciety's consent. To me this appeared not only improper in 
itself, but unsafe, as it would be against the express vote of 
the society ; and as such council would be incompetent to an- 
nul the contract between me and them. 

Thus failing of the countenance of the society both to the 
calling of Consociation, and to the calling of a council re- 
stricted to dissolve my pastoral relation, the church at length 
determined to take upon itself the responsibility of the only 
measure, which would put the case in a train perfectly agreea- 
ble to the will of those who had taken a principal part in these 
measures. Accordingly I was duly notified of a complaint of 
the church, and of the time for convening " the council of 
the consociated churches in the county of Tolland." 

"The Consociation of Tolland county," so called, convened 
April i6th. Called to answer to the complaint of the church- 



I read and presented the following protest against the juris- 
diction of the Consociation. 

TO THE REVEREND ELDERS AMD MESSENGERS OF THE 
CHURCHES IN THE COUNTY OF TOLLAND, CONVENED IN 
THE FIRST SOCIETY IN COVENTRY. 

Fathers and Brethren, 

Having been notified of the assembling of this body of 
christians, purporting to be the council of the consoclated 
churches in the county of Tolland, to take cognizance of the 
cer cerns of the first church and society in Coventry, and of 
theii pastor, I declare my sincere persuasion, that I am not 
amenable to them ; and therefore, in the presence of God, I 
mly protest against the authority of this council to sit in 
Eient upon the complaint of this church. 

Entertaining a high respect for many members of this body, 
whose friendship and esteem for a course of years I was hap- 
py to cultivate and enjoy ; cherishing for the church under my 
care, a tenderness and solicitude, which none but pastors can 
know, and for the society an affection, I hope, answerable to 
their recent generosity for my support, and immoveable attach- 
ment to my person and ministry in a season of distressing 
trial ; and feeling duly anxious to support my christian and 
ministerial chai'acter against the shock of this occasion ; while 
I deny their authority, I regard it due to this council, due 
to my beloved church and people, due to myself, and due to 
the rights of conscience, and the cause of truth, that I make 
a full disclosure of the grounds on which I rest my protest. 

In the government of the New England churches from the 
first settlement of this country by our pious ancestors, in cases 
of difficulty, the offer of a mutual council has been generally 
regarded as a fundamental principle. Therefore I deny the 
authority of this council, and protest against it. 

I. Because there has not been made to me the offer of an 
impartial council, mutually chosen by the church and me, to 
consider and decide the difficulties subsisting between us. 

In difficulties arising between a pastor and his people, the 
offer of a mutual council, in the first instance left free to re- 
sult according to facts and evidence, is not only agreeable to 



8 

the practice of the churches, but is essential to equity ; foi 
when a minister of the gospel is settled for an indefinite term 
of time, as I was, he has an office for life, determinable on 
misbehaviour. In every point of view it is most essential, that 
a charge of misbehaviour be heard and resulted upon in the 
most impartial manner, and in a way in which all parties con- 
cerned have entire confidence. This cannot be, if those who 
form the result be not mutually chosen, and left free to decide 
between the parties. 

It is therefore, I conceive, a first principle, that no expartc 
council, in a case like the present, can be had, before such a 
mutual council has been fairly offered, and unreasonably refus- 
ed. And what is thus essential to equity, I understand to 
have been almost invariably the settled opinion and practice 
of the New England churches. Thus it has been in Massa- 
chusetts at all times; and so in Connecticut till 1708; and 
very generally so since that time. Such a council has always 
been offered in the first instance in all the churches that have 
not been consociated, and frequently in those that have. 

Will it be affirmed that such council has been offered to me i 
Let a statement of facts decide. 

On the 13th. of September last, the church voted to apply 
to the Association for advice. On the 2nd. of October, the 
Association advised them ; " the previous steps being taken, 
to take measures to convene the council of the consociated 
churches in the county of Tolland" On the 9th. of said month, 
the church voted, that previous steps had been taken ; and 
without conference with their pastor, or desiring his concur- 
rence, decided to convene said council. From these facts it 
is sufficiently obvious, that the church designed to avoid a 
mutual council. 

The refusal of the society to concur with the church in call- 
ing the Consociation, arrested the measure for a season. The 
society, however, did not disregard the wishes of the church, 
but as a step to conciliate them, and as a measure equitable 
to all parties, proposed to join with them in calling a mutual 
council to consider and decide the matters of difficulty. To 
this proposal the church apparently acceded, and a committee 
was appointed to confer with the pastor and the committee of 
the society, and to appoint the council. They met ; but (I 



speak of a majority of the committee) not to offer me a mutual 
council. Indeed it must not be disguised, they were still de- 
termined, that no council should sit, in the convention of which 
their pastor should have voice or influence. 

After two months delay, the church proposed a mutual coun- 
cil to dissolve the connexion between the pastor and the 
church and people. This council, proposed by the church, I 
fully understood to be for the sole purpose of dissolving the 
connexion ; so much so, that should the council have been 
perfectly satisfied that to continue it would be useful and hap- 
py, it could not'have resulted to that effect. The society, un- 
willing that a council should be called to sit without consulta- 
tion, and to act as it should be dictated to them, declined this 
proposal. And the next measure of the church was to con- 
vene the present body. 

From this statement of facts is it not demonstrated, that in 
no one of the proposals of the church has a council, to be 
mutually chosen and authorized to judge between the parties, 
been offered to me ? And as in the greatest part of New Eng- 
land no other council is competent to act, either in the eye of 
the civil law, or according to the usage of the churches, before 
the offer of a fair, impartial, mutual council has been made and 
refused, I protest against the authority of this body to judge 
in my case, as I have neither had a voice, nor even been con- 
sulted in their convocation. 

Will it be said, that this body is not convened as an ex parte 
council, but under the Saybrook platform, sanctioned by the 
legislature of the state ? 

II. The second ground of my protest against the authority 
of this body is the filatform itself ) and facts relative to it. 

It is readily acknowledged, as an historical fact, that in 1708 
the legislature of the state required of the elders and messen- 
gers of the churches " to draw a form of ecclesiastical disci- 
pline, and to present the same to be considered of and confirm- 
ed by them.' , The Saybrook agreement was the instrument j 
and the legislature approved it. And is this then the law ec- 
clesiastical of the state ? It is replied ; not by virtue of the re- 
commendation of the Saybrook council ; and not by virtue of 
the approving act of the assembly, Neither of these alone, 



10 

nor both conjoined, were competent to so great an effect. It 
became the ecclesiastical law of the state so far as eiders and 
churches adopted it, and no farther. Neither the council nor 
the legislature affected to extend the instrument to a single 
church or elder without express consent. 

$t may be said, that the four counties of which the state was 
then composed adopted the constitution. This is speaking in 
round numbers. The question seems to be, Did all the 
churches in the several counties adopt it? If not, so many as 
declined to consociate were not under the authority of Conso- 
ciation. And again ; Did as many as consociat^d abide by this 
ecclesiastical constitution ? If not, so many as withdrew them- 
selves are not subject to its authority. These are points 
which, I conceive, will not be contested. 

Now the ecclesiastical body, convened on this occasion, 
claims to be considered the Consociation of Tolland county. 
However it may be with the platform in other counties, I hope 
to make it appear, that it has no authority in Tolland ; at least, 
none over the first church in Coventry ; certainly none over 
its elder. 

Here it is very material to inquire the object for which the 
platform requires a Consociation to be formed ; whether it be 
general, that is, with a view to act or judge in all cases which 
may occur, or special, that is, with a view to act or judge in a 
case already existing. Clearly this distinction is not merely 
formal ; it is most essential, and results from first principles. 
For if a Consociation be originally formed to try a particular 
case between two known parties at the instance of one of 
them, and against the remonstrance of the other, it can in no 
respect differ from an ex parte council ; and cannot be sup- 
posed to deliberate and result impartially. Beyond all doubt, 
therefore, a Consociation is to be originally formed for a gen- 
eral purpose. But let the instrument speak for itself. 

By article II. of the Saybrook agreement, it is provided, that 
the churches in each county shall " consociate for mutual af- 
fording to each other such assistance, as may be requisite, up- 
on all occasions ecclesiastical. " Here is authority for a Con- 
sociation in the county of Tolland, and its general object is de- 
fined. But the churches in the county of Tolland are not a 



11 

Consociation before an act, an original act of their own, renders 
them such. 

The method of forming a Consociation is stated in article 
X.* The minister or ministers of the county town must ap- 
point time and place, and the elders in person, and the churches 
by messengers, must attend, if they see cause to send them. 

Thus convoked and convened they become a Consociation ; 
which can adjourn, and can meet again within the year, if oc- 
casion require ; and by annual election can perpetuate itself. 

I ask, if this original act, this convention, I may say, to 
ado/it the constitution, has ever taken place ? Who convoked 
the churches in this county ? and what churches attended and 
submitted themselves to this strong instrument of ecclesiasti- 
cal government ? 

The elders and messengers have never met according to 
article X. of said agreement ; nor according to any other 
method believed to be regular. There is no record of a Con- 
sociation in the county, or of one consociational act. If it be 
said, they were formed at Willington more than twenty years 
ago, it is replied, that, as they had not been regularly formed 
a Consociation before that occasion, they could not be formed 
then, because, as before proved, this would have been in direct 
violation of first principles. But if it be granted, in violence 
to first principles, that it was formed at that time, it cannot 
have continued ; for this body may not adjourn for a longer 
time than one year. 

Therefore, because there has been no original convention 
according to the Saybrook agreement, or any other believed 
to be regular ; because there is no record of Consociation ; and 
no memory of any regular act of such body ; by the platform 
itself there can be now no authorized Consociation in the 
county of Tolland. 

Perhaps it will be contended that these churches were once 
consociated in the counties from which Tolland was composed, 
and that the legislative act which formed a district or circuit, 
within which, according to the platform, there might be a Con- 
sociation, created such body. 

That they ever were consociated, at least all of them, ad- 
mits of question. If they were consociated in their native 

* See^Appendix II. 



12 

counties it is contended, that the civil act which formed a dis- 
trict or circuit did not create a Consociation in it. If the 
creating of a county is of course the creating of such an ec- 
clesiastical body, the church is subjected to the ordinances of 
the civil government to an extent that has never been contem- 
plated ; and every alteration of a county, and every new county, 
may essentially affect the relations of the churches ; and di- 
vide or unite them according to the will of the legislature. 
The ministers of this county seemed fully satisfied on that oc- 
casion, that their associational relation was not affected by the 
ordinance creating the county ; for they continued several 
years in their former Associations, and when a new Association 
was formed it appears from their records it was formed by a 
convention of ministers for the purpose. After all, whatever 
be the standing of other churches in the county in regard to 
Consociation, I humbly conceive the first church in Coventry 
is not subject to its jurisdiction, nor, if now they desire it, en- 
titled to its interference. I have carefully inspected the re- 
cords of the church, and inquired of living members ; and not 
a vestige appears in book or memory of any election of mem- 
bers to the original convention, or to any regular subsequent 
council. 

Will it be said that this church, being in the county, is sub- 
ject to the jurisdiction of Consociation whether it has ever 
made an election of its authority or not ? 

But does the platform authorize or enable some churches, 
say a major part in the county, to form a Consociation, and 
thereby to draw within its controul and discipline, and to judge 
other churches in the county declining to consociate ? Clear- 
ly there are no exfiress provisions in it to this purpose. And 
surely it will not be urged in our country, that some are to 
judge others by zmfilication or intendment against their con- 
sent, or the consent of either party to be tried, unless it has 
unreasonably rejected a mutual council. In a civil state this 
would be despotism ; and can the sacred name of religion alter 
its nature ? Indeed the platform, strong and decisive- as its 
powers are, disclaims this power. It provides liberty to come 
into the Consociation, and liberty to remain out of it. It pro- 
vides that after convocation, the elders in their persons, and 
the churches by their messengers, if they see cause to send 



13 

iheni) shall meet in convention and consociate. Thus it is 
submitted to the unbiassed, election of every church to send, or 
refuse to send. And the legislature, duly solicitous to guard 
the voluntary independence of the churches, concludes the 
very act approving the platform in these memorable words, 
" Provided always, that nothing herein shall be intended or- 
construed to hinder or prevent any society or church, that is, 
or shall be allowed by the laws of this government, who sober- 
ly differ or dissent from the united churches, hereby estab- 
lished, from exercising worship and discipline in their own. 
way according to their consciences." 

I think it has been shown that the church is not consociated, 
and I now add, that it cannot surely admit of a moment's 
doubt, that the pastor is independent of its jurisdiction. For 
elders no more than churches are subjected to it without their 
consent. This appears I conceive from the platform ; and 
my construction is justified by a vote of the general Associa- 
tion, and by the uniform practice in the consociated districts, 
the candidates being called upon before ordination to consent 
to that method of church government. But so far from con- 
senting I had not the slightest suspicion of its authority in this 
church ; nor had the church itself. For they proceeded by 
platform, neither in inviting me to this place, nor in calling 
me to the pastoral office, nor in convoking a council for my 
ordination. My ordination was not by a council of consociated 
churches ; nor was I called to give my consent to the confes- 
sion of faith or the articles of discipline contained in Saybrook 
platform. During the fifteen years of my ministry the church 
has never given me the least intimation, that it was conso- 
ciated, or deemed itself or its minister amenable to the plat- 
form before the vote in October last to convene a council of 
the consociated churches. During all this time I have neither 
consented to the platform, nor met in Consociation, nor done 
a single act which expressed or implied any connexion with 
any consociated churches.. Nor has the conduct of this church 
been singular. The other churches in the county have 
practised in the same manner. Since the erection of the 
county there have been more than twenty councils, most for 
ordination, several for scandal, and some for dismission of el- 



14 

tiers, and all upon independent principles, except the single 
irregular council at Willington. 

Under these circumstances, and on these grounds, I am 
constrained, with great deference to my brethren and fathers, 
and without any defect of christian esteem and good will, to 
protest against the jurisdiction of this body, and to deny that I 
am amenable to them, because there is not, there cannot be a 
regular Consociation in this county at this time ; because, if 
this body could answer to this character I am not amenable to 
it, having never consented to its constitution or authority ; be- 
cause, if the church could, without my concurrence, join 
themselves to such a body, they cannot implicate me in their 
engagement ; and because, if in future I could be bound by 
their act in this respect, it would be utterly unreasonable and 
oppressive that it should be retrospective, and that a new tri- 
bunal should be instituted for the adjustment of our differ- 
ences, at least, So long as the methods upon which they and 
the churches here assembled have heretofore proceeded, re- 
main untried. 

Hitherto I have been confined chiefly to a consideration of 
human authority, as expressed in articles of agreement and 
usage among the churches, which are binding so far as they 
agree with the word of God, and are consented to by elders 
and churches. The complaint of the church is concerning 
opinions which I am supposed to entertain. This is a charge 
of a nature to be tried by a higher court. Therefore 

III. The third ground of my protest is, that councils have 
no authority in matters of faith. 

The Lord Jesus Christ claims to be the prophet and the 
sole authoritative head of the church; his disciples are breth- 
ren. Even to his inspired apostles, he gave no authority of 
themselves to prescribe new articles of faith. They assumed 
no lordship over God's heritage. Since thus as brethren we 
stand upon the line of equality, I would ask to which of us the 
master has given commission to dictate to the rest ? Whom 
has he constituted infallible interpreters of the scriptures? 
Whom has he constituted keepers and directors of the under- 
standing and faith of the rest ? If any, doubtless they will be 
able to show their commission attested by the broad seal of 
miracles. None pretend to miracles ; therefore none may 



15 

pretend to infallibility. If then a fallible body of christians 
assume to dictate to others, what forbids these in return to 
dictate to them ? Their authority is equal, and with equal cen- 
sures they can enforce their dogmas. What confusion and 
schism in the churches must be the inevitable consequence ? 
Must be, do I say ? has been ; and this ever since the council 
of Nice. 

In support of these positions are those words of the candid 
and learned Dr. Lardner, " No man or number of men separa- 
ted or united in council, since the time of Christ and his 
apostles have any right to decide in matters of faith ? It is in- 
consistent with the respect due to Jesus Christ to attempt it ; 
unless they can show themselves to be inspired, and work 
miracles to manifest evidently a divine commission. This is 
agreeable to many things said by our Lord, especially in the 
23d. of Matthew, "And call no man your father upon the 
earth ; for one is your father which is in heaven. Neither be 
ye called masters ; for one is your master even Christ." 

" If you can bring reason or scripture for any doctrine, men 
will assent; but to say the bishops of such a council have so 
declared and determined is not convincing : Therefore, it 
ought not to be expected that men should confess and act as if 
they were convinced. 

" The Council of Nice introduced authority and force in 
the church, and in the affairs of religion. 

" This way of acting may be supposed to have been the 
chief cause of the ruin of the christian interest in the East. 

" In about 300 years after the ascension of Jesus, without 
the aids of secular power or authority, the christian religion 
spread over a large part of Asia, Europe, and Africa ; and at 
the accession of Constantine, and convening the council of 
Nice, it was almost every where throughout those countries 
in a flourishing condition. In the space of another 300 
years, or a little more, the beauty of the christian religion 
was corrupted in a large part of that extent, its glory defaced, 
and its light almost extinguished. What can this be so much 
owing to, as to the determinations and transactions of the coun- 
cil of Nice, and the measures then set on foot, and followed 
m succeeding times." 



16 

A'Hd it may be remarked, that no party has ever been c&.v 
vinced of its errours merely by the decisions of councils. 
Sometimes the church has acquiesced, not through any convic- 
tion of the authority or correctness of the council, but com- 
monly through the power of the secular arm. 

" The futility of recurring to this method for terminating 
disputes," says one of the most eminent Scotch divines," is 
what the whole christian world, Greek and Latin, Protestant 
and Papist, seems now to be sufficiently convinced of ; inso- 
much, that without the spirit of prophecy one may venture to 
foretel, unless there is a second dotage which the church 
has yet to undergo, the council of Trent will remain the last, 
under the name of ecumenical, assembled for the purpose of 
ascertaining articles of faith." 

Such are the opinions of those great and good men. But 
there is authority for this third ground of protest which this 
body will not call in question. I have only to read from the 
Saybrook platform, page 2d. " It was the glory of our fathers, 
that they heartily professed the only rule of their religion from 
the very first to be the holy scrifiture." This rule of faith I 
esteem sufficient, this I receive most sincerely and hold most 
sacredly with our pious fathers." 

Page 6 of the Platform we read, " We do not assume that 
any thing be taken upon trust from us, but commend to our 
people these following counsels, 

I. That you be immoveably and unchangeably agreed in the 
only sufficient and invariable rule of religion, which is the holy 
scrifiture, the fixed canon, uncafiable of addition or diminution. 
You ought to account nothing ancient that will not stand by 
thisrule, nor any thing new that will. 

II. That you be determined by this rule in the whole of re- 
ligion. That your faith be right and divine, the word of God 
must be the foundation of it, and the authority of the word the 
reason of it." 

In Page 17th. and article 10th. of the confession, we are 
taught who are to determine opinions and doctrines : " The su- 
preme Judge by which all controversies are to be determined, 
and all decrees of councils, ofiinions of ancient writers, doctrines 
of men, and fir iv ate sfiirits are to be examined, and in whose 
sentence we are to rest, can be none other, but the holy 



17 

seri/iture delivered by the Spirit ; into which scrifiture so de- 
livered our faith is finally resolved. 

So important did the Saybrook fathers regard this 10th» 
article of their confession, that they took care to have it print- 
ed with a different type ; by which, though dead, they still 
speak against human authority in matters of faith. They do 
not set up the confession in the platform, as a rule by which 
the sense of scripture is to be determined ; for this would be 
to declare the scriptures the only rule, and then gravely pro- 
ceed to set up another. This was not their inconsistent mean- 
ing. So far from this, that we find one of the articles of their 
belief, that " the infallible rule of interpretation of scripture 
is the scripture itself; and therefore, when there is a ques- 
tion about the true and full sense of scripture (which is not 
manifold but one) it must be searched and known by other 
places that speak more clearly." 

Is a man, then, you inquire, not responsible to men for the 
faith which in his conscience he entertains ? 

Let the platform resolve the question. Page 65, w God alone 
is Lord of conscience, and hath left it free from the doctrines and 
commandments of men, which are in any thing contrary to his 
word; or not contained m it, so that to believe such doctrines 
or to obey such commands out of conscience is to betray true 
liberty of conscience, and the requiring of an implicit faith 
and an absolute and blind obedience is to destroy liberty of 
conscience and reason also." 

This and more have the Saybrook fathers left in their in- 
strument to guard the sacred right of conscience, and private 
judgment. In doing this, they have evinced their knowledge of 
the doctrine of the reformation, and their correctness upon 
protestant ground. When, in the year 1529, by the instiga- 
tion of the pope, a decree was made by the imperial diet at 
Spire, that ministers should preach according to the sense 
and interpretation of scripture afi/iroved by the church, a 
counter protest was entered by six princes and thirteen cities, 
that no doctrine was so certain, as that of God's word, and 
nothing should be taught besides it. This was the only sure 
and infallible way ; but the traditions of men had no certain 
foundation. 



18 

"From tliis famous protest, the honourable name of protes- 
lant was derived, as professing a strict adherence to scripture 
truth and authority, with the right of private judgment and in- 
terpretation, in opposition to all ecclesiastical injunctions and 
decisions." Here commenced the Protestant reliefion in dis- 
tinction from the Papal ; the Roman church said, " Submit 
yourselves to authority without examination : The Protestant 
church says, "Examine the scriptures, and submit to con- 
viction." 

More than a century after this event, glorious to the church, 
the assembly of divines at Westminster followed the example 
of protestant Germans. For we learn from one of the mem- 
bers of that assembly,* when the Scots commissioners pro- 
posed, that the answers in the Assembly's Shorter Catechism 
should be subscribed by all the members of the assembly, in- 
tending very probably to make them a standard of orthodoxy, 
the assembly rejected the motion of the commissioners after a 
considerable number in the assembly had shown it was an un- 
warrantable imposition upon christians/' Thus evident it is 
without further fact or remark, what is protestant ground, 
and what the doctrine of the reformation ; and that our pious 
ancestors in forming the platform of Cambridge in 1648, and 
of Saybrook in 1708, perfectly understood and maintained the 
same ground. 

Since our Lord Jesus Christ claims to be the head of the 
church ; since no man or body of men uninspired can lay 
claim to infallibility ; since the pious founders of the platform 
have left their solemn caution against any authoritative inter- 
pretations of scripture, and fully assert the right of conscience 
and private judgment ; and since this principle of the plat- 
form is the great doctrine of protestantism and the reforma- 
ation, I feel constrained to protest against the authority of this 
body to sit in judgment upon this complaint concerning 
opinions. 

My honoured fathers and beloved brethren, I have now 
stated the three great grounds of my protest against the 
authority of this council. In conclusion, suffer me to state 
them together. 

* Mr. Nye. See Ward's Die. and Conscientious Kon Conform- 



19 

Upon principles of equity and the general practice in. the 
churches in New England, I regard myself entitled to an im- 
partial council, mutually chosen by the church and me, to con- 
sider and decide the difficulties between us. This has never 
been offered to me. 

There has never been a convention of elders and messengers 
in this county to adopt this ecclesiastical constitution. There 
never has been but one council in the county assuming the name 
of consociated, and that most certainly irregular. This church 
has no record or memory of any connection with Consociation. 
The pastor has never consented to these articles of agree- 
ment. The platform claims to bind neither church nor elder 
without consent. 

The complaint of this church is entirely concerning opinions? 
and these stated, notln words which the Holy Ghost teachethj 
but which man's wisdom teacheth. For men to determine 
such a complaint I conceive would be to assume the preroga- 
tive of the Lord Jesus Christ. The platform does not permit 
it ; and if it did it is not warranted by the leading principle 
of protestantism and the reformation ; and I firmly believe 
such authority is conceded by the word of God to no man 
or body of men upon earth. 

My christian friends, I will detain you but a moment. I 
look upon this council with much concern ; the question be- 
fore them is of no ordinary nature or importance. 

The temporal inconveniences resulting from your proceed- 
ing may be very serious. Should the act of the council in any 
way affect the relation of the pastor to this church and people 
it will be liable to be reviewed by a court of law, where cause 
and evidence will be weighed in an even balance. The trouble, 
expense and irritation attendant on legal contest you can esti- 
mate. But these are the less evils. The greater concern the 
cause of our dear and divine master. Here I will not dis- 
semble my anxiety ; silence would be sin. All the danger 
lies not on the side of errour ; the evils of schism, of contention 
among christian brethren, of the members separated from 
the head, and of the head from the members, are of most 
melancholy aspect. Should the council be accessary to the 
existence or aggravation of these evils, and upon grounds not 
acknowledged by the word of God, will they be able to answer 
it to our common master? My brethren, our office is arduous, 
because of the opposition wc meet with from men of cor- 



20 

mmds ; and must the labour and perplexity be accumulated by- 
mutual opposition among ministers and christians ? While 
the servant of Christ in the integrity of his heart, with his 
«ye night and day upon his commission and his work, is la- 
bouring for the glory of God and the salvation of souls, over 
whom the Holy Ghost has made him an overseer, shall he be 
embarrassed and arrested by his fellow labourers in the vine- 
gard ? Is it not more consonant to the spirit of Christ, by 
which they ought all to be animated, to forbear one another in 
love, even more, to lift ufi ihe hands which hang down, and 
to strengthen the feeble knees 1 A minister's character is his 
means, under God, of doing good ; it is therefore sacred: it 
must not be assailed without necessity and warrant the most 
clear. Of an accepted servant Christ declares, He that de- 
sfiiseth you, desfiiseth me ; he that rejecteth you, rejecteth me. 
A stroke at the shepherd reacheth the whole flock ; the shefi- 
herd smitten, the flock is scattered. Looking back then on the 
origin of our difficulties, let me ask, with what caution should 
christians in the bosom of the church admit an accusation 
against an elder ; with what tenderness cherish his reputation ; 
and with what circumspection avoid offences, lest prejudices 
be awakened, many hearts be closed against his ministrations, 
and the ingrafted word cease to be received with meekness, 
and the souls of a people to grow thereby. I know these 
fathers and brethren too well, I think, to suppose they will for- 
get their responsibility to the Great Head of the church, or be 
unmindful of the peace and prosperity in this place, or re- 
gardless of the temporal evils, and I must solemnly add, the 
eternal evils, which may result from their acting irregularly, 
or with doubtful jurisdiction. 

Brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his 
grace, which is able to build you ufi, and to give you an inheri- 
tance ambng them that are sanctified. 
Coventry, April 16th. 1811. ABIEL ABBOT. 

The society having been together in full meeting on the 
day previous tc die convention of the council, and instructed 
their committee to protest against the proceeding of that body 
in any manner to affect the relations of their pastor, the com- 
mittee by their advocate read and presented the following 
Instrument, 



21 



TO THE REV. ELDERS AND MESSENGERS OF THE CHURCHES 
IN TOLLAND COUNTY, CONVENED IN THE FIRST SOCIET'i 
IN COVENTRY. 

Gentlemen, 

The first ecclesiastical society in Coventry by their com- 
mittee offer this protest and memorial to prevent, if possible, 
this body of christians from interfering at all in the concerns 
of this society, and from proceeding in any manner whatever 
against their pastor. 

We have never supposed, that the first ecclesiastical socie- 
ty and church in Coventry were at all connected by Consocia- 
tion with the churches in Tolland county. We have never 
been able to learn that there ever was a Consociation regu- 
larly formed in said county ; nor have we ever been able to 
find, that the business proper to be done by a council has 
been performed by the circuit, which ought, according to 
Saybrook platform, to have been thus done, if Tolland county 
had been a consociational district. 

When the Rev. Mr. Abbot was settled here, more than fif- 
teen years ago, this church and society took not a step in the 
way of Consociation, either by advice, ordination, or other- 
wise. Nor has any thing been done by this church and soci- 
ety, or their pastor, from that time to the present, that ex- 
pressed or implied any connection with churches consociated, 
before the convoking of this council. 

Under these circumstances, we protest against the proceed- 
ing of this body, as constituting the council of the consociated 
churches in the county of Tolland. And the society, and, we 
trust, their pastor, will not feel bound by any result which 
may be made by such body of christians. 

We wish further to state in behalf of said society, that we 
have lived in much harmony and peace with our pastor, and 
that he has been attentive and diligent to promote our peace 
and welfare ; that as a man, a christian, and a minister, our 
connection with him has been highly satisfactory ; that he has 
conducted with such prudence, affection, honesty and fidelity 
among us, as greatly to endear himself to us, and to our fam- 
ilies. 



Till of late, this church and society appeared well satisfied 
with the preaching and publick performances of their minister. 
And we have reason to believe, that his occasional labours in 
the vicinity have been acceptable. 

His preaching has not been often on disputable or contro- 
versial points ; but upon refientance towards God, and faith 
towards our Lord Jesus Christ, and well calculated to pro- 
mote love to God and man, and a holy, virtuous, and sober life. 

Within a short time, one or two of the society have expres- 
sed their dissatisfaction with some opinions which they sup- 
pose the pastor to hold, on which the christian church has al- 
ways been divided. Whatever may be our pastor's view of 
these subjects, he has not failed to exhibit candour and forbear- 
ance towards those who differ from him, and has never en c 
deavoured to disturb the peace of the society with his specu- 
lations. 

By great and continued exertions, the minds of some others 
have been alarmed, and the uneasiness increased. Still, notwith- 
standing the zeal of the dissatisfied, we are in a good degree 
a united people, and desirous to enjoy the ministrations of our 
pastor. There is hardly a society where the same kind and 
degree of exertions to excite alarm and dissatisfaction would 
not procure as great a number of votes to dismiss a pastor 
as here. 

While great pains have been taken to excite uneasiness 
and dissatisfaction with our pastor, with less effect, however, 
than could have been expected, no improper endeavours have 
been used on his part to disturb the minds of the people, or 
attach them to him, none but a steady, prudent, and candid 
behaviour, and a faithful discharge of duty. Indeed, the can- 
dour, patience, prudence, fortitude and good temper, which 
he has uniformly maintained in his great trials, have excited 
our admiration, and contributed not a little to endear him unto 
lib. If we were to part with our minister, we see no prospect 
of our being so well united in ai other. 

The society nave expressed a willingness to do every thing 
that seemed reasonable to ease the minds of those who were 
dissatisfied, and to compos^ iferences. A mutual council to 
consider, advise and direct m existing difficulties, has beer. 



23 

offered by the society and by the pastor ; but this propose 
did not prevail. Our pastor upon being asked, Whether he 
would unite in calling a mutual council to dissolve his pasto- 
ral relation, signified his willingness to call such council, if 
the church and society desired it. But the society it appeared, 
by a great majority, did not desire it, and refused to take any 
such measures. 

When the vote was taken on the last proposal, and when 
the vote was tried for calling the consociated churches in 
Tolland county, the majority was so great against the measures 
that we may confidently state, that the society will not consent 
to be deprived of their minister arbitrarily, or in a way which 
they deem irregular and unlawful. 

The society think it their duty to maintain the great doc- 
trine on which the reformation was built ; viz. The sufficien- 
cy of the sacred scrifitures for a rule of 'fait Vj, and the right of 
firivate judgment. As we claim the privilege of examining 
and judging for ourselves, we deem it reasonable that we 
should allow the same indulgence to our pastor, and to oth- 
ers. As we consider it unreasonable in us to invade the 
rights of others, we feel it our duty to defend our own. We 
think it improper to call any man, or body of men, father 01^ 
master on the earth, or to submit to councils to impose creeds 
upon us, as we conclude our master has left this in the hands 
of none of his followers. From ecclesiastical history we find, 
that since councils have attempted to settle articles of faith, 
and have not been contented with the sacred scriptures as 
sufficient, there have been great divisions, animosities and 
confusion in the christian church. "These troubles and diffi- 
culties, we apprehend, will not cease, before christians for- 
bear to assume the rights of others, and require more in or- 
der to christian fellowship, than Christ and his apostles re* 
quired. " Two things," says the pious and famous Mr. Bax- 
ter, " have set the church on fire, and been the plagues of it 
for above one thousand years. 1. Enlarging our creed, and 
making more fundamentals than God ever made. 2. Com- 
posing (and so imposing) our creeds and confessions in our 
own worlds and phrases. When men have learned more man. 
ners and humility, than to accuse God's language as too gen* 
eral and obscure, (as if they could mend it) and have more 



24 

dread of God and compassion on themselves, than to make 
those to be fundamentals or certainties which God never 
made so, and when they reduce their confessions, first, to 
their due extent, and secondly, to scripture phrase, that 
dissenters may not scruple subscribing, then, I think, and 
never till then, shall the churefchave peace about doctrinals. 
It seems to me no heinous Socinian notion which Chilling- 
worth is blamed for; viz. let all men believe the scripture 
and that only, and endeavour to believe it in the true sense of 
it, and promise this, and require no more of others, and they 
shall find this not only a better, but the only means to sup- 
press heresy and restore unity." 

Should a body of christians, assuming- to be the council of 
the consociated churches in Tolland county, interfere in the 
concerns of this society, and attempt: to dissolve our pastoral 
relation with Mr. Abbot, it would probably subject this socie- 
ty to great expense and trouble, as the doings of such body 
would be liable to be reviewed in a court of law, and thus 
create civil contentions and disputes, evils, the very prospect 
of which we deprecate. This vast expense and trouble may 
be unavoidable, as we are firmly persuaded this body has no 
jurisdiction or authority to dissolve our contract with our 
pastor. 

The proceeding of this body to interfere in our affairs, es- 
pecially to denounce our pastor, and attempt to break his con- 
nection with us, will perpetuate divisions in this place, and ex- 
cite animosities which will long render us very unhappy. 
We greatly fear and dread the evils and difficulties which 
would probably arise from such rash and violent measures. 
Should the result be, that after long altercations among our- 
selves, and a tedious and expensive suit or suits at law, we 
should be deprived of our pastor, we do not see the least 
prospect of our being able to unite in settling another. We 
fear that the spirit of party would be enraged, and our divis- 
ions would be such as to render it impossible to agree in any 
candidate who might come among us ; and unless we were 
well united, we should be unable to furnish a sufficient sup- 
port to settle a person whom we should choose for our minis- 
ter. If we were in some degree united, the society would be 
greatly discouraged from attempting a settlement. We should 



25 

fear as soon as we were happily settled, one or two might be- 
come dissatisfied, and by their unwearied pains produce a sep- 
aration, as in the present case. 

But if our present minister be removed from us, in whom 
we have been, and still are, so happily united ; if his connec- 
tion here is violently broken up, and, as we believe, arbitrarily 
and illegally, we can hardly extend our view to the distant 
prospect of settling another. We deplore what we fear will 
be the consequences of such an unhappy separation. 

We should be exposed to sharp and tedious contention with 
all its tremendous evils. This people would be without a re- 
ligious teacher ; our families without religious publick instruc- 
tion ; out* 1 sabbath and sanctuary without a minister to lead in 
our devotions ; our respect for the clergy would be diminish- 
ed ; we fear a growing disregard to divine institutions ; and, 
in consequence of these evils, we fear the morals of the young 
would lamentably degenerate ; the sabbath be disregarded ; 
religion exposed to contempt ; and our destitute and unhappy 
situation might be perpetuated. These great and lasting evils 
will be attributed to what we deem the unauthorized interfer- 
ence of this ecclesiastical body. 

Under these circumstances and prospects we deem it our 
indispensable duty to repel all violent proceedings against our 
pastor, and to retain him whatever may be done without our 
consent to dissolve the connection. We, therefore, for our- 
selves and the society which we represent, do solemnly pro- 
test againt the proceeding of any body of christians in our af- 
fairs assuming to be the council of the consociatcd churches in 
the county of Tolland. 



AMASA JONES, ^ r 

CEPHAS BRIGHAM, \ c ™™"« 
CALVIN MANNING, jun. f g ff 
JOSEPH DOW, J ^ ciet y- 



Coventry ) Ajiril 16, 1811. 



After a free and animated discussion, during several hours, 
of the main question, Whether this body have jurisdiction as 
a council of consociated churches ? they voted that they were 
" duly convened and authorized to try the complaint before 
them." 

4 



26' 

Being again called to answer to the complaint, I informed 
the council that I should abide by my protest ; and of course 
was silent as to the complaint. 

The council then proceeded to consider the complaint ; 
and the church adduced testimony in support of the charges, 
which, without impeaching the integrity of any, ss it was the 
natural effect of partial examination, it is but just to myself to 
say, was in some instances at least incorrect. The evidence un- 
doubtedly would have had a different aspect, if the witnesses 
had been examined by both parties, improper testimony pre- 
vented, or just explanations admitted. 

The Reverend advocate for the church then attempted to 
prove and explain to the audience the doctrines supposed to 
be contained in the complaint, and to enforce upon the coun- 
cil the testimony adduced in support of the several articles of 
charge. 

During this address the feelings of the society were highly 
excited, many of whom left the house ; and some of the church 
manifested no small anxiety to resort to some more peaceable 
expedient to terminat6 the difficulties, than by urging the 
council, with at least doubtful jurisdiction, to a result so 
painful to the great majority of the society. After consulta- 
tion, the advocate of the pastor, with the consent of the socie- 
ty committee, and at the request of a respectable member 
of the church, and with the hope that it would be agreeable to 
a majority of the church, respectfully moved, That this body 
should wave a decision of the case before them, and give op- 
portunity to settle the difficulties in a manner agreeable to all 
parties, by a mutual council. This measure, the suggestion 
of which had begun to revive the drooping minds of many, 
met the most strenuous opposition of a principal member of 
the church's committee. At the suggestion of several mem- 
bers of the church, I renewed to the church, in the recess of 
the council, the proposal of a mutual council ; but this last 
conciliatory effort also failed of success ; and on the following 
day the result of Consociation was published as follows : 

At a meeting of the elders and messengers of the churc hes 
in the county of Tolland, on the 16th. of April, 1811, in the 
first society in Coventry, called at the request of the church m 
said society, were present? 



27 



PASTORS. DELEGATES OY THE CHURCHES. 

Rev. Nathan Williams, D. B. Deacon Jabez Kingsbury, 
' Ebenezer Kellogg, Oliver King, 

Amos Basset t, Stephen Bingham, 

Royal Tyler, Sylvester Gilbert, 

Diodate Brockway, Sawyer Ellis, 

Nathan Gitlet, Joseph Talcott, 

Efihraim T. Woodruff, Samuel D union, 

Iiubbel Loomis, Jabez Collins, 

William L. Strong. Elijah Talcott, 

Rev. Calvin Ingals, 
Mr. John Hall. 

Doct. Williams was chosen moderator, and Mr. Bassett 
scribe. 

The Consociation was opened with prayer, by the Mod- 
erator. 

The church laid before this body a complaint, containing 
the following articles of charge against their pastor, viz. 

That he, the Rev. Abiel Abbot, does neither preach nor 
believe the doctrine of the sacred Trinity of Father, Son and 
Holy Ghost in the Godhead. 

That he does neither preach, nor believe in the divinity of 
Jesus Christ ; that he is both God and man united in the per- 
son of Mediator. 

That he does neither preach nor believe the doctrine of the 
atonement made for sin by the blood of Christ, and of the jus- 
tification of sinners by the righteousness of Christ, imputed to 
them and received by faith in him. 

The foregoing doctrines, though clearly revealed in the 
word of God, as not only true, but fundamental in the gospel 
system, and essential to be believed in order to salvation, are 
by him omitted in his preaching ; and doctrines contrary to 
these, and repugnant to the j faith once delivered to the saints 
by Christ and his apostles, and subversive of the christian's 
hope, are by him taught and inculcated. 

Mr. Abbot having read, then presented to this body an ad- 
dress, denying the jurisdiction of this council, and protesting 
against their sitting in judgment upon the complaint against 
him. 



The society also by their committee, presented an instru- 
ment of the same purport, which was read. 

The authority of the Consociation having been denied, the 
subject was largely argued by the counsel both of Mr. Abbot 
and of the church. 

The council then proceeded to a full deliberation upon the 
arguments offered. The question was then put by the mode- 
rator, Do this council consider themselves duly convened and 
authorized to try the complaint before them ?. Voted in the 
affirmative. 

The elders and messengers present feel themselves justifi- 
ed and supported in the foregoing decision by^the articles of 
church discipline unanimously agreed upon by the elders and 
all the churches of Connecticut convened at Saybrook, Sept. 
9, 1708; the same having been adopted by practice and con- 
sent of the churches in this county ; and for that, this Conso- 
ciation is convoked conformably to the 13th article thereof, 
and agreeably to the usage of the churches in this state ;' and, 
as we believe, agreeably to the mind and will of Christ ; and, 
for that, no other method of administering church discipline 
has been adopted among our churches in cases like the one 
under consideration ; nor can we resort to any other, under 
the present organization of our churches, where the parties 
cannot, or will not, mutually submit their difficulties. 

The Rev. Mr. Abbot was then called upon to answer to the 
complaint exhibited against him by the church ; but he ne- 
glected and refused to make answer to the same. 

The council then proceeded to hear the testimony produced, 
by the church in support of the articles of charge. After 
a full and patient hearing and consideration of the case, the 
question was put upon each article separately, Is this article 
proved ? Voted it is proved. 

The general question was then put, Is the Rev. Abiel Ab- 
bot guilty of the facts alleged in the complaint of the church 
against him ? Voted unanimously in the affirmative. 

Voted, That the man who neither believes, nor preaches 
the doctrines specified in the articles of charge, is disqualified 
for the office of the gospel ministry ; for he has essentially 
renounced the scriptures, has made shipwreck of the faith 
cmce delivered to the saints, has denied the Messiah of tfie 



29 

gospel, who is the true God and eternal life, and cannot preach 
to sinners, according to the real meaning of scripture, Jesus 
Christ and him crucified, who is the only way of salvation, nor 
feed the church of God, which he has' purchased with his own 
blood. 

The council therefore feel themselves required by Jesus 
Christ, the great God and Saviour, on the peril of being judg- 
ed unfaithful to him, to his church, and the best interests of 
the society in this place, to declare, and they hereby declare, 
that the ministerial relation between the Rev. Abiel Abbot 
and the first church of Christ in Coventry ought to be, and is 
dissolved. And they do hereby also revoke the commission 
given to him by his ordination to preach the gospel and ad- 
minister the ordinances of the same. 

The council add, that after having given full weight to 
every thing brought before them, it is with pain they have 
found themselves under the necessity of performing this in- 
dispensable duty. 

By unanimous order of the Consociation. 

Signed, NATHAN WILLIAMS, Moderator. 
Attest, AMOS BASSETT, Scribe. 

Upon the publication of the result, the Consociation and the 
church were informed of the determination of the society and 
myself to convene a mutual council without unnecessary de- 
lay ; and the hope expressed that nothing might be done to 
commit the peace of the society, or which might lead to any 
legahprocess, before the session of the council. 

The churches from which a mutual council should be call- 
ed were immediately agreed upon by the committee of the 
society and me, and letters missive issued. 

Fully persuaded that there was no regular Consociation in 
Tolland county, at the least that I was amenable to no such 
body, and therefore was unaffected by their decision, at the re- 
quest of the society committee, I continued to perform the 
duty of a minister. 

Upon the result, an instrument of extraordinary and I truly 
believe unexampled aspect, it is necessary for me to remark , 
it shall be my object to doit coolly and in the spirit of christian 



so 

meekness, while at the same time I cannot withhold some ex- 
pression of my astonishment. 

It states that " The elders and messengers present feel 
themselves justified and supported in the foregoing decision 
by the articles of church discipline unanimously agreed upon 
by the elders and all the churches convened at Saybrook, 
Sep. 9, 1708." 

The platform has no force, and the act cf the legislature 
gives it none, before it has been voluntarily adopted. What 
justification then or countenance can the elders and messen- 
gers convened in Coventry derive from these articles of disci- 
pline, which most certainty have never been adopted ? 

But I am admonished by the result, which continues : " the 
same having been adopted by practice and consent of the 
churches in this county. " 

The sincerity of this declaration I must not question ; but 
it is founded in mistake. Adopted by consent I When ? 
Where ? Will it be said, at Willington more than twenty years 
ago ? There is no record of the important transaction. Nay 
more ; it is not pretended that the elders and messengers of 
the churches were at that time convoked in order to consent to 
the articles of discipline, or to form Consociation, or that they 
consented when convened, or that they ever were either con- 
voked or convened to give their consent. And yet this pri- 
mary act the instrument itself demands as essential to author- 
ity on the one hand, and to subjection on the other. The coun- 
cil at Willington was in fact no other than a mutual council, 
agreed upon by the pastor, church and society, to consist of the 
elders and churches in the county. Certainly therefore the 
Saybrook agreement has not been adopted in Tolland by 
consent. 

Adopted by practice — I am astonished at the suggestion. 
W T hat is practice ? I would say, uniform and uncontradicted 
usage. The least it can mean is general usage. Now what 
is that uninterrupted and undisputed practice in this county 
which has amounted to an adoption of the Saybrook agree- 
ment ? The reply is as before, The council at Willington, 
That solitary council, about which there is nothing in point 
but the name assumed for it, constitutes general usage. Let 
facts reply to .this assumption. During twenty five years 



since the incorporation of the county, there have been more 
than twenty five councils convoked for various purposes, not 
one of which, always excepting the mutual council at Wil- 
lington, has been convened according to the articles of agree- 
ment, or asserted the slightest pretension to the name of Con- 
sociation. 

But, as if the platform were not quite sufficient authority, 
the elders and messengers seem to lay claim to higher ; de- 
claring that they believe themselves convoked agreeably to 
the mind and will of Christ. 

In this language there seems an imitation of apostolic style, 
and allusion to a passage in the epistle to the Corinthians. 
Paul on a certain point gives his own judgment, and adds, / 
think also that I have the spirit of God. By which, according 
to our version, he seems to insinuate, that he was in some 
doubt whether he were inspired on that point or not. The 
council seem somewhat better satisfied on the subject of 
Consociation, and the prescribed manner of its convocation. 
We know of no ground of the belief they here express, ex- 
cept direct revelation. Were satisfactory reasons given, that 
the Consociation was convoked in the present instance agreea- 
ble to the mind and will of Christ, whether agreeable to the 
platform, or any other instrument of human invention, or oth- 
erwise, no objection would be made. For in every case rela- 
ting to opinions, Christ alone is master. But I conceive it 
has been shown in the protest, that the mind of Christ has 
been very clearly declared in the gospel as against the author- 
ity of councils in matters of faith. 

" And, for that no other method of administering church 
discipline has been adopted among our churches in cases 
like the one under consideration." 

It has not been made to appear, and I conceive cannot, that 
the present is a matter of discipline. What rule of the gos- 
pel is it alleged I have broken ? Is this the offence, that I 
do not believe the fallible interpretations of men ? Christ has 
commanded me to search the scri/itures ; to hear. and under- 
stayid ; to judge of myself what is right ; and is it criminal to 
attempt obedience to him ? I am enjoined to Jirove all things : 
and is that belief which results from impartial, from conscien- 
tious examination, guilt ? And is it a grievance ? in a word- 



52 

is it matter of discipline, that a christian brother believes 
what devout and patient investigation has forced upon hi6 
mind as truth ? and withholds his assent from terms and phra- 
ses to his mind incomprehensible, and which he no where finds 
in the sacred scriptures. 

" Nor can we resort to any other under the present organi- 
zation of our churches, where the parties cannot, or will not, 
mutually submit their difficulties." 

Mutual council is the general practice of New England. 
And when one of the parties unreasonably refuses this equita- 
ble method, the other is entitled to an ex parte council. But 
this privilege is not due to the party refusing a mutual coun- 
cil ; for no man may take advantage of his own wrong. How 
then could the church equitably resort to a council essentially 
ex parte ? And how could the council assign the pertinacious 
refusal of a mutual council on the part of the church, as a just 
reason for flying to their relief ? 

The objections to authority of Consociation are in- 
superable. But granting that this body had all the authority 
in Tolland which Consociation has in the county of Fairfield, 
where Saybrook platform is the constitution of the churches, 
both by consent and undisputed usage, there is a very re- 
markable fact still behind, width seems to have escaped the 
notice of the council, viz. there was no positive and specific 
charge against the pastor before them. 

There was no positive charge in the complaint. It is whol- 
ly composed of negatives ; and are negatives susceptible of 
direct proof ? If it be said, there was a positive charge of 
teaching doctrines u repugnant to the faith, and subversive of 
the christian's hope," I repel the slander with indignation. But 
the church never brought this forward as a charge ; and when 
called upon by a judicious member of the council to produce 
their evidence on this point fully, as to him it appeared to be 
the only positive charge before the council, the committee of the 
church very frankly acknowledged, that they had no evidence to 
produce, other than had appeared on the other charges. In oth- 
er words, this was a point, the direct proof of which they were 
not inclined to undertake. It is evident that this most offensive 
and groundless insinuation was intended to bring up the rear 
of negative charges ; and lend a colouring to them, which 



33 

might alarm the council, and inconsiderate men that should 
read or hear the complaint ; an effect, which negative charges 
alone might be incompetent to produce. I forbear further 
comment on a point, which has more deeply wounded my 
mind, than any other in this extraordinary complaint. 

But if this were allowed to be a charge, and had been in due 
form numbered as such in company with its negative brethren, 
it is not sfiecific. What would be said to a libeller, that should 
enter a civil court and accuse his quiet neighbour of being a 
dishonest man, at the same time prudently excusing himself 
from adducing any proof of special acts of fraud, as the ground 
of his charge ? Would he not be dismissed with reprimand, 
unless perhaps he were retained to answer with fine or im- 
prisonment for his general and slanderous libel ? How remote 
is this from being the parallel of the case en which I am re- 
marking ? The suggestion (for the committee of the church 
allow me not to call it a charge) is altogether of this general 
nature, and unsupported by evidence, or one specific fact. 
Look at the terms of this statement ; "and doctrines contra- 
ry to these, repugnant to the faith, and subversive of the 
christian's hope, are by him taught and inculcated." What 
the doctrines are, which I am here said to teach, no mortal 
can conjecture from the language of the complaint. When ? 
and where ? and to whom were they preached ? The church 
excuse themselves from evidence with respect to these /acts ; 
and say only, as I did not preach certain doctrines which they 
name, therefore I did preach certain other doctrines which 
they do not name. That is, I did not preach Christianity, 
therefore I did preach Islamism. If positives can be thus 
proved by negatives, the case of an accused man is indeed 
desperate ; I know not any thing which they cannot prove 
againt him. By this means they can prove him a Mahome- 
tan, a Bramin, or infidel of any description, which may suit 
their fancy ; and can prove that he preaches in character to 
his faith. 

In this view of this extraordinary suggestion is not the 
reader prepared to expect that the council at once blotted it 
from the complaint ; and if they did not rebuke the church, 
at least pass the charge which the committee did not profess 
to support in forgiving silence ? Let him learii from the fol- 
5 



u 

lowing extraordinary vote : " The general question was then 
put, Is the Rev. Abiel Abbot guilty of the facta alleged in the 
complaint of the church againt him? Voted unanimously in 
the affirmative." 

To what facts do the council allude ? There are none stated 
in the complaint ; which is nothing but a negation of facts. 
There are none specified in the convenient remark, which the 
church subjoined to their charges. If the language could be 
tortured into the meaning of a specific charge of criminal facts, 
the committee declined producing any proof. Yet the coun- 
cil here declare the Rev. A. A. guilty of the facts alleged 
against him in the comfilaint. This vote passing unanimous- 
ly, it is extremely difficult to reconcile with the known good 
sense and integrity of some of the council. 

It ought not to pass without observation, that the com- 
plaint of the church, and virtually the result of council, de- 
clare the doctrines specified to be " clearly revealed in the 
word of God, as not only true, but fundamental in the gos- 
pel system, and essential to be believed in order to salva- 
tion." This is easily said in the complaint, and easily voted 
in the result. But it is a difficult matter to prove, that 
doctrines expressed in terms technical and scholastic, not 
to say contradictory, are at all revealed in the word of God ; 
more, that they are clearly revealed ; and much more 
difficult, that they are clearly revealed as fundamental , 
and essential to be believed in order to salvation. Where in 
the discourses of Christ and his apostles are these doctrines 
clearly stated ? I affirm, and I shall not be contradicted, that 
in the book of God they are not found expressed in the terms 
used in the complaint. Our blessed Lord and Master, in 
speaking of fundamentals, used a simpler style. He declared, 
He who heareth my sayings and doeth them is founded on a 
rock ; he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven 
shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, And when Peter con- 
fessed, Thou art Christ, the Son of thi living God, Jesus ap- 
proved and blessed him ; and on this profession, a fundamen- 
tal of great simplicity, declared he would build his church. 
Is it not presumptuous then in men to declare their fellow 
men excluded from salvation who admit the fundamentals 
which Christ has taught, but refuse subscription to words and 
phrases of human coinage ? 



35 

Let it be carefully observed, that I have been condemned, 
not for disbelieving the sacred scriptures, the whole and every 
part of which I sincerely believe ; but I have been condemned 
for not believing and not preaching as essential to salvation, 
fallible explanations of the sacred book ; condemned as essen- 
tially renouncing the scriptures, while all I call in question is 
human interpretations ; condemned as denying the Messiah of 
the gospel and making shipwreck of the faith , while I believe 
and preach that Jesus is the Christ of God, is the way, the 
truth, and the life, and that other foundation can no man lay, 
than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 

Thus believing, who has a right to declare me, in point of 
faith, incompetent " to preach Jesus Christ and him crucified, 
and to feed the church of the Lord* which he has purchased 
with his own blood ? 

But I will not extend my remarks upon all the exception- 
able parts of this result, I should be tedious to the reader. I 
will sum the whole with respect to jurisdiction and the com- 
plaint in one general remark. Every one of five points was 
essential to be maintained on their part, as the ground and 
justification of their proceeding ; as, 

1. That a Consociation had been organized in the county of 
Tolland. 

2. That the pastor of the first church in Coventry had, 
some time or other, consented to its jurisdiction. 

3. That councils have authority to decide in matters of faith 
beyond what sacred scripture decides. 

4. It should have appeared that the complaint contained 
positive and specific charges. 

5. That the opinions, or rather phrases in question, are es- 
sential. 

It is confidently believed that not one of these points 
has been established, or can be j and that their decision is 
therefore unauthorized. 

* Kvptov, Lord, is the correct reading. It is unfortunate that my brethren of 
the council had not known that learned Trinitarians consider the reading of 
©sow, God, in this text, as unsupported by any good MS. and that Athanasius 
himself would have shuddered at the mention of the blood of God; an expres- 
sion, which, however familiar it is becoming in the mouths of one or two divines 
in this vicinity, is shocking to all consistent Trinitarians, as it is a virtual denial 
of the humanity of Christ, and an impious assertion of the materiality of God. 



Notwithstanding this, the council feel iham^elvfia requi) 
by Jesus Christ the great God and Saviour ," &c. This is a 
very solemn and imposing- style, and the declaration may be 
sincere; but I doubt the propriety of adopting it. They had 
before declared their belief, that they were convoked or had 
jurisdiction agreeably to the mind and will of Christ ; and here 
that they feel required by him, to pronounce a particular de- 
cision. On neither point is it pretended that the mind of 
Christ is declared in the scriptures ; and if not, do my brethren 
pretend to revelation ? or are they so blessed -with the unction 
of the Spirit, that they are competent to declare the mind of 
Christ, independently of the revelation of it in the gospel ? Ii 
the council disclaim so high a pretension, I cannot but regard 
their solemn and unqualified expressions in both cases, as 
highly exceptionable. An uncandid observer would be likely 
to remark, that it was a profession of regard to Christ the bet- 
ter to cover an unauthorized act ; in short to satisfy the world, 
that the good end they had in view would justify the means, 
if there were some degree of irregularity in them. 

But cautious should be every appeal to God, and cautious 
the attempt to justify a doubtful measure by endeavouring to 
stamp upon it the seal of his authority. My brethren, be not 
many master shiest ye fall into the greater condemnation. There 
is not less "peril" in assuming the judgment seat of Christ, 
than in tolerating an erring brother in the sacred office. The 
parable in Matth. xviii. 23, &c. is in point, and deserves in 
connection with this subject a frequent perusal. 

It appears very novel, if not a contradiction in terms, that 
the Consociation revoke a commission they never gave. If 
ordination confers a commission, I received it from a mutual 
council, not from Consociation, which has never in a single 
instance conferred ordination in the county of Tolland. Might 
it not be as correct and regular that an English bishop should 
recal the commission of a presbyterian, and the presbytery the 
orders of an episcopalian, and that both should find themselves 
deposed in a Roman consistory ? 

There is one circumstance further, by no means the least 
considerable in this rash proceeding. Grant to the council 
their own definition of heresy, which is denied them I think 
by scripture and by the ablest and most approved critics in 



sacred literature, and how can their haste be justified ? What 
gross disregard of the apostolic injunction, A heretic, after 
the first and second admonition, reject. Here is conviction, if 
such it can be called, and judgment, and sentence, and execu- 
tion in a breath. Where was displayed the tenderness, the 
patience, the compassion, the solicitude and the effort to re- 
claim an erring brother, which the gospel renders indispensa- 
ble in christians ? What precedent in ecclesiastic annals have 
they followed ? Even pope Leo X. when complaint was made 
against Luther, long endeavoured to reclaim him ; and when 
he finally issued his bull to depose him from the office of the 
christian ministry and exclude him from the church, Luther 
was allowed sixty days to renounce his errours and avoid the 
execution of the sentence. 

These remarks upon the result I have thought necessary in 
order to correct misstatements and to set facts before the pub- 
lick, and to exhibit the reasons, by which I have felt myself 
sacredly obligated to disregard the decision of the council, and 
to esteem it of no effect upon my ministerial and christian 
standing. Having presented these facts and reasons, I feel no 
anxiety with respect to standing justified to every candid and 
impartial mind.. 

Impartial men have freely given their opinion, that it would 
have been advisable to continue to discharge my pastoral 
duties in the same mannner as if no council had interfered in 
my affairs, so long as a great majority of the society was dis- 
posed to attend on my ministry. I thought it due to the coun- 
cil, however, as a mark of respect, and due to the feelings of 
the society, as well as to my own character, to "submit the 
standing of the pastor and the expediency of his continuing in 
the ministry in this place" to a new council. 

The selection of elders to compose this council I trust will 
meet with general approbation. That they might be men, 
feeling no degree of prejudice and subjected to no degree of 
improper influence in the case, they were selected from 
churches without the county, and without the state. In this 
measure I am authorized by a memorable example in the 
church history of the state. When dissention in the church 
in Hartford had long raged and had failed to be settled by Con- 
necticut councils, by the advice of the legislature repeatedly 



38 

given, a council from Massachusetts convened once and again, 
and differences were happily composed. On the present oc- 
casion men of age and experience were selected, men who 
are in high esteem at home, and who as authors are known 
and respected abroad ; most of whom have had the highest 
honours of the universities conferred upon them, and several 
of them received these tokens of respect from the university 
in this state, and have been selected by their brethren, and by 
the highest civil and military authority, to preach onthe most 
important occasions. These facts I detail to render known 
my solicitude and care to have a second . ouncil which should 
be entitled to general confidence. I neeu only add, that with 
the majority of the council I had little personal acquaintance, 
and no knowledge of their opinion with respect to my religious 
sentiments or particular difficulties. 

The following letter from the Rev. Dr. Osgood, who was 
requested to be of the council, I give to the reader entire, as 
applicable to several points in the preceding narrative and 
remarks. 

REV. ABIEL ABBOT, PASTOR OF THE FIRST CHURCH IN 
COVENTRY. 

Medford, May 22, 1811. 
Sir, 

Though my transient acquaintance with you, and my knowl- 
edge of your father, grandfather, family and kindred in gen- 
eral, seem to give me an interest in you above what I might 
feel for an utter stranger ; yet, as the state of my health and 
circumstances of my family do not admit of a journey to Cov- 
entry, you must excuse my non-compliance with your request. 
I sincerely sympathize with you under your difficulties ; but 
as those difficulties appear to have been enhanced by an ex 
parte council already, it seems doubtful whether they can be 
removed by another council of the same general nature. If it 
be urged that the influence of the second may counterbalance 
that of the first ; yet, if in reason and equity there be no weight 
in either, what occasion can there be for the balance ? For my- 
self I have little faith in or respect for ecclesiastical councils ; 
I have long thought them unauthorized in scripture, and for the 
most part worse than useless, excepting as mere referees or 



39 

arbiters, mutually chosen by parties at variance, for settling 
their disputes. If they be not thus chosen by both parties, I 
know not what prospect there can be of any salutary effect. 
Ex parte councils may succeed each other ad infinitum without 
the least hope of effecting an accommodation. The party 
which rejects the proposal of a mutual council for adjusting 
their differences, unquestionably violates the golden rule of 
doing as they would be done by. If your dissatisfied brethren 
persist in refusing to submit the grounds of their complaint to 
judges mutually chosen, by making them this offer you ap- 
pear to have done all that can, by the rules of the gospel or 
by the dictates of reason, be expected from you ; and they 
must appear to the world as unfair, unjust and oppressive ; in 
short, as the culpable party. They might, with as much pro- 
priety, have dissolved your pastoral relation and disqualified 
you for the ministry by their own immediate authority, as by 
that of those persons whom they themselves exclusively con- 
stituted judges in the case. In reality there is no difference. 
It is indeed a most extraordinary procedure in this land of re- 
publican liberty, where all ecclesiastical establishments are 
explicitly disclaimed. This consideration however assures 
you, that though the tongues and pens of ecclesiastical councils 
be as free and unrestrained as those of any other description of 
citizens, yet they have no power to execute their decrees ; 
and you have no more reason to tremble at the anathema of 
the Consociation of Tolland county , than at a bull of the Roman 
pontiff. It might therefore perhaps be advisable to let it pass 
with as little notice, suffering it to have no other effect but 
to render you a better christian and a better man. 

Any trouble of this kind, my brother, like all other troubles, 
ought to be rightly improved : It should lead us to self-inspec- 
tion and self-examination : It should put us upon inquiring 
whether we have not been chargeable with something amiss, 
imprudent, or at least, unguarded ? Whether we have been 
sufficiently circumspect, cautious and tender with respect to 
the weaknesses and prejudices of our brethren ? Whether we 
have not shocked those prejudices by an unnecessary avowal 
of bold and singular opinions ? Among the first converts com- 
posing the church at Corinth, there were some who, after 
heir profession of Christianity, retained a degree of religious 



40 

reverence for the idols which they had formerly Worshipped 
A tincture of idolatry is still mingled with the piety of no small 
proportion of our feilow christians, even in these modern 
times. It taints the minds of many serious and good charac- 
ters. They reverence the writings of inspired men ; they 
have almost an equal reverence for the writings and dogmas of 
some men confessedly uninspired. Like the mingled people 
sent to inhabit the cities of Samaria, who associated with the 
God of Israel, the gods of their respective countries and na- 
tions, multitudes of our christian brethren associate with the 
apostles, the heads and leaders of their respective sects ; and 
the formulas, creeds and confessions drawn up by the latter, 
are hardly discriminated from scripture itself ; nay, in their 
estimation, to doubt of the one, is an attack upon the other. 
The example of St. Paul in becoming all things to all men. 
should teach us the utmost condescension and gentleness to- 
wards these infirmities of our brethren. They are not to be 
despised or disregarded. As a nurse cherisheth her children. 
we must be always careful in providing their spiritual food, 
that it contain nothing difficult to their swallow or digestion. 
If, with respect to the things now mentioned, conscience 
should acquit us of all blame, still it may not be amiss further 
to inquire whether, as watchmen, we have been vigilant and at- 
tentive ; in our lives and conversation, strictly exemplary* 
in our pastoral duties, earnest and laborious ? Whether we 
have exhibited that zeal in religion, that fervour and spirit of 
devotion, which ought to set us above the suspicion of being 
wanting in any of the essential qualifications of good and faith- 
ful ministers ; certain it is, that our trouble should prove a 
stimulus to yet greater diligence and fidelity in all the duties 
of our holy calling, brightening our light, and rendering it still 
more splendid. 

It is collected from your letter that a great majority of the 
congregation still adhere to you, are satisfied with your ser- 
vices, and are willing to contribute to your support. Why- 
then should you not continue to officiate as heretofore, dis- 
charging all pastoral duties to those to whom they maybe ac- 
ceptable ? A mutual council being the only just, rational and 
scriptural remedy for the risen uneasiness; after this has 
been refused, the aggrieved brethren must be left to take their 



41 

own course. If a number of the former communicants should 
choose to withdraw, some perhaps may remain, and to these 
success in your labours will make frequent additions till, in a 
short time, your church may be as full and respectable as 
ever. That the cloud at present overshadowing you may thus 
pass away is, and will continue to be, the earnest prayer of 
your brother in the kingdom and patience of Christ. 

DAVID OSGOOD, 

Letters also have been received from the First and North 
churches in Salem, under the pastoral care of the Rev. Drs. 
Barnard and Prince, declining attendance in council at Cov- 
entry, but filled with sentiments of attachment to the great 
principle of the reformation. The limits of this publication 
will not admit the letters at length ; but I cannot withhold 
the following articles extracted from their church covenants ; 
one of which was adopted as early as 1629 : " We give our- 
selves to the Lord Jesus Christ and the word of his grace for 
the teaching, ruling and sanctifying of us in matters of wor- 
ship and conversation, resolving to cleave to him alone for 
life and glory, and reject all contrary ways, constitutions and 
canons of men in his worship. " " We profess our firm belief 
of the holy scriptures, contained in the Old and New Testa- 
ment, and that we take them for our sole and sufficient rule 
of faith and practice." 

A statement of facts and documents embracing the most 
important part of what has been laid before the reader ; oc- 
currences subsequent to the meeting of Consociation ; my 
situation in relation to the church and to the clergy in the 
vicinity, with a declaration of my opinions in regard to the ar- 
ticles of charge, and with some remarks on past proceedings, 
were exhibited to the council. 

The society also by their advocate was heard, and a full 
disclosure made of their situation and of their wishes. 

The council having heard and considered the statements of 
the pastor and society, published the following 

RESULT, 



42 



Coventry, June 5, 18. . 
In pursuance of letters missive from the pastor and first ec- 
clesiastical society in Coventry, the following elders and mes- 
sengers assembled at the house of the Rev. Abiel Abbot. 

Boston, Rev. John Lathrop, D. D. 
Bridgeivater, Rev. John Reed, D. D. 
Roxbury, Rev. Eliphalet Porter, D. D. 
Worcester, Rev. Aaron Bancroft, D. D. 

Deacon William Trowbridge. 
Weston, Rev. Samuel Kendal, U. D. 

Brother Isaac Hobbs. 
Duxborough, Rev. John Allen. 
Lancaster, Rev. Nathaniel Thayer, 

Brother Josiah Bridge. 

The council formed by choosing Rev. John Lathrop, D. D. 
moderator, and Rev. Nathaniel Thayer, scribe 

Voted, that the Rev. Mr. Abbot and the committee of the 
society be informed, that the council are now in session, and 
are ready to receive any communications from them. 

Voted, that the following message be sent to the deacons 
of the church, to be communicated. 

" An ecclesiastical council, of which the Rev. John Lathrop, 
D. D. is moderator, is now in session in this place, at the re- 
quest of the Rev. Abiel Abbot and the first ecclesiastical so- 
ciety in Coventry, and will be happy to receive from the first 
church in Coventry any communications they may be pleased, 
to lay before them. 

Coventry, June 5, 1811. 

N. B. The council have voted to adjourn to the meeting 
house, and will be in session this afternoon, at 2 o'clock. 
To Deacons A r athan Howard and David Hale. 

To this message no reply has been made. 

Voted to adjourn to 2 o'clock this afternoon, then to meet 
at the meeting house. 

Assembled at the meeting house agreeably to adjournment. 

The Rev. moderator led in an address to the thrdne of divine 
grace. Attended to various communications of the Rev. Mr. 
Abbot, and of the advocate for the society, in order as appears 



43 

an file, and from these learned the measures adopted by the 
church and society in relation to existing difficulties. 

After hearing the arguments on the part of the society, 
attended to some paragraphs of a sermon of the late President 
Stiles on "the Christian Union." These displayed the na- 
ture of Consociations, the independence of the New England 
churches, and the spirit of christian liberty. 

Voted to adjourn to the house of the Rev. Abiel Abbot, 
there to meet at the expiration of one hour. 

Met at the time appointed. 

Chose Rev. Drs. Lathrop, Reed, Porter, Bancroft, and the 
Rev. Mr. Thayer a committee to prepare a result. 

Voted that the council adjourn to tomorrow at 7 o'clock, A. M. 

June 6. Convened at the hour assigned. 

The council having taken into consideration the christian and 
ministerial standing of the Rev. Abiel Abbot, and the expe- 
diency of his continuing in the ministry, voted unanimously to 
publish the following result. 

RESULT OF COUNCIL. 

It is with reluctance that the members of this council have 
consented to take any part in relation to the unhappy divisions 
which have arisen in this place, and which more immediately 
respect the christian edification, peace and order of the 
churches in this vicinity and state. We feel ourselves im- 
pelled however by a principle of sympathy and benevo- 
lence, and by a sense of duty to our common Lord and 
Master, not to refuse our attention, opinions and advice when 
they are earnestly solicited by a respectable ecclesiastical so- 
ciety, and a christian pastor who received his education and 
approbation as a preacher of the gospel in that part of the 
country in which we reside, and whom we have long known, 
respected and loved. 

This council have, as they trust, attended with seriousness 
and impartiality to the statements and pleas of the parties at 
whose instance they are convened. They lament the divisions 
which have arisen between the church on one side, and the 
pastor and congregation on the other. It is with extreme re- 
luctance that the council are constrained to give an opinion 
which will militate with the result of the venerable council, 
composed of elders and messengers of the churches of Tol- 



44 

land county, recently convoked in this place ; but as it be- 
comes necessary that they should decide on questions sub- 
mitted to their deliberation, propriety requires that they give 
the reasons of their decision. 

The council find no satisfactory evidence that a Consocia- 
tion ever existed in Tolland county, according to Saybrook 
platform. If a Consociation did exist, they find no evidence, 
that the first church in Coventry or its pastor were ever con- 
stituent parts of it ; and as the Rev. Mr. Abbot and the eccle- 
siastical society declined acting with this church in calling 
the late council, and protested against its jurisdiction, we can 
consider it only in the light of an ex parte council ; and as 
the not having of a mutual council as the umpire of their con- 
troversy must in our opinion be imputed to the church, the 
result of said council cannot affect the ministerial standing of 
the Rev. Mr. Abbot, much less dissolve the pastoral relation 
between him and this people. 

Concerning the doctrinal points which are the only articles 
of charge alleged against Mr. Abbot we will not decide, in the 
persuasion that the Great Head" of the church never empower- 
ed any body of men to pronounce authoritatively respecting 
religious opinions. We believe that Mr. Abbot is sincere in 
the following solemn declaration, and that it ought to be satis- 
factory. 

" There is one God, the Father, of whom are all things ; 
and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things. Through 
him we have access by one Spirit unto the Father. 

"Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, the brightness of the 
Father's glory and express image of his person ; and in him 
dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. He was de- 
clared to be the Son of God with power according to the spirit 
of holiness by the resurrection from the dead. Him hath 
God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and Saviour, 
to give repentance and forgiveness of sins. 

There is one God, and one Mediator between God and men, 
the man Christ Jesus. He hath suffered for sins, the just for the 
unjust, that he might bring us to God. In him we have re- 
demption through his blood ; he was delivered for our of- 
fences, and raised again for our justification. By him we be- 
lieve in God, that raised him from the dead and gave him glo= 
ry, that our faith and hope might be in God. 



45 

u After that the kindness and love of God our Saviour to- 
wards man appeared, not by works of righteousness which 
we have done, but according to his mercy, he saved us by the 
washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost ; that 
being justified by his grace we should be made heirs according 
to the hope of eternal life. To him that believeth on him that 
justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. 

" I acknowledge and sincerely receive the sacred scrip- 
tures as divine truth, and firmly believe and preach them as 
an infallible guide of faith and duty. And while I claim for 
myself the right of searching and judging their true meaning, 
I disclaim the right of binding others by my interpretations, 
and of condemning them for differing in opinion from me." 

We' are persuaded that his inquiries have been in the love 
of truth, and his sentiments communicated in the spirit of the 
christian ; and we will not set at nought our brother for the 
exercise of the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, 
for we must all stand at his judgment seat. The pages of ec- 
clesiastical history through a period of eighteen hundred years 
contain abundant evidence, that the attempt to unite christians 
under human creeds and formularies has uniformly issued in 
a struggle for superiority, in the alienation of christian 
brethren, and in divisions in the church. Is it not then time, 
that the disciples of one common Master unite under his au- 
thority, and make his gospel without addition or diminution 
the basis of ministerial intercourse and christian communion ? 
The sufficiency of the scriptures as a rule of faith and practice 
is the great principle of the reformation from popery, and it is 
the only ground on which protestant christians can securely 
stand. 

The council consider the relation between the pastor and 
this ecclesiastical society as not having been annulled ; and the 
parties having submitted the expediency of its continuance to 
this council, we do therefore adjudge that the relation be- 
tween them be dissolved for the reasons which follow : 

We apprehend that the divisions which exist in the chi. 
and society are of such a nature, as render it highly im- 
probable, that the end of the christian ministry can in future 
be promoted by the official labours of Mr. Abbot. As it re- 
spects the church and society, we entertain the hope that this 



46 

act of christian condescension of the majority to the ardent 
wishes of the minority will be the means to restore their for- 
mer harmony and love, and that in the spirit of mutual for- 
bearance and charity they will be united in a minister by whom 
they all may be edified. This measure we deem necessary 
for the future comfort and usefulness of the pastor, and in 
conformity to the will of our divine, Master, that his ministers 
who cannot be useful in one city flee to another. 

And therefore, being authorized as aforesaid, we do hereby 
declare the relation between the Rev. Abiel Abbot and the 
first ecclesiastical society in Coventry dissolved. 

This council unreservedly express their favourable opinion 
of the ministerial qualifications of the Rev. Mr. Abbot. His 
intellectual powers, his literary and theological attainments, 
the diligence of his research after truth, his prudence, candour 
and charity, the excellence of his moral character, and his affa- 
bility and tenderness in the intercourse with the people of his 
charge, in our view fit him in a high degree for the office of a 
christian pastor ; and with deep sorrow we find that circum- 
stances exist, which render it expedient for him to take a dis- 
mission from a society, the great majority of whom manifest a 
warm attachment to his person and ministry. This council 
cordially recommend the Rev. Mr. Abbot to all christian so- 
cieties among whom he may in divine providence be called 
to minister. 

This council did not cross the line of their state with an 
inclination to oppose themselves to their christian brethren in 
Connecticut ; but, as they trust, in the spirit of that gospel, 
which has made charity the distinguishing mark of its dis- 
ciples. They will themselves, and in expressing this senti- 
ment they are assured that they speak the language of their- 
brethren in Massachusetts, rejoice to cooperate in all meas- 
ures which are fitted to promote christian union and fellow- 
ship, as well as in those which subserve the purposes of the 
civil and literary institutions of the two sister states. 

The council subjoin their earnest supplications to the God 
and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ that he would have this 
christian people, and him who hath long laboured with them in 
word and doctrine, in his holy keeping, and grant them the bles- 



47 

^ings of the gospel of peace. May this his servant be again 
honoured and improved in the work of the ministry. 

May we all, having passed through this state of imperfection 
and trial, meet in heaven, where we shall see as we are seen, 
and be perfected in the whole will of God. 

JOHN LATHROP, Moderator. 
Attest, NATHANIEL THAYER, Scribe. 

Upon the whole extraordinary narrative, which I have now 
completed, I cannot withhold a few remarks to the christian 
publick. The scene at Coventry is closed, as it regards me ; 
I am further interested only as a private member of the re- 
ligious community. But I feel a concern much greater then 
I can express, that the unauthorized proceeding at Coventry 
should not pass into a precedent, and be hereafter appealed to, 
to justify intolerance and domination over conscience. 

It is very manifest to any careful observer of what is pass- 
ing, that there is forming and strengthening a combination in 
New England, to awe the spirit of inquiry and the liberty of 
conscience and private judgment in regard to the holy scrip- 
tures. It has been boldly declared in publick assembly, that a 
minister cannot subsist in Connecticut, who presumes to dif- 
fer from the general opinions embraced by the clergy and 
churches. There is substantial evidence of the fact in my 
case, that such a man cannot live in fie ace , cannot subsist with- 
out assault and perpetual hostility. This is a new thing in 
our country ; it is without precedent. It is that very spirit of 
oppression from which our ancestors fled into a wilderness. 
To enjoy liberty of conscience and private judgment they 
fled from Britain to Holland, and from Holland to America. 

The men I know very well, who now advocate intolerance, 
pretend to the countenance of our ancestors. It is pretension, 
and nothing more. Their early institutions, their language 
on all occasions, contradict the assumption. I appeal to testi- 
mony the most decisive. I appeal to the father of the first 
settlement in New England, the great, the immortal Robin- 
son, the learned and orthodox minister of the Puritans in 
Holland. O for a spirit of enlightened zeal, of reverence for 
scripture, as the sole authoritative guide and inexhaustible 
fountain of truth, of caution with respect to human authority. 



48 

arid of candour to all inquirers after truth, which breathes in 
the admirable exhortation, addressed to a part of his charge 
when he dismissed them to America. Before he kneeled 
down with them upon the sea shore to commend them to God, 
these were his words : " I charge you before God and his 
blessed angels that ye follow me no farther than ye have seen 
me follow the Lord Jesus Christ. If God reveal any thing to 
you by any other instrument of his, be as ready to receive it, 
as ever you were to receive any truth by my ministry ; for I am 
verily persuaded, I am very confident, that the Lord hath more 
truth yet to break forth out of his word. For my part I cannot 
sufficiently bewail the condition of the reformed churches who 
are come to a period in religion, and will go, at present, no 
farther than the instruments of their reformation. The Lu- 
therans cannot be drawn to go beyond what Luther saw ; 
whatever part of his will our good God has revealed to Cal- 
vin, they will rather die than embrace it. And the Calvinists 
you see stick fast where they were left by that great man of 
God, who yet saw not all things." 

There is nothing surprising in this candid exhortation ; it 
was all of a peace with his leaving England ; it was all in 
consonance with the principle of the reformation from pope- 
ry. While shaking from his conscience the chains which the 
pope or the English church would gladly have rivetted, he 
disclaimed the right, the desire to impose them on the con- 
sciences of his charge ; nor would he countenance the impo- 
sition in others. How different is the language which is now 
heard ; and how diverse the temper which ministers now 
breathe ? The discoveries of the first reformers, in the mo- 
ment of bursting from papal darkness, are assumed as truth, 
and as the whole truth, and all attempt to go beyond them, or 
even to examine what they taught, seems to be thought little 
less impious than to assail the sacred scriptures themselves. 

Will they, who breath this new spirit, so strange to our 
fathers and so incompatible with the gospel, fly to the confes- 
sion of later fathers, to the platform of Cambridge and Say- 
brook for countenance ? They find no countenance, they find 
no quarter here. It is as impossible to justify their decision 
by the platform, as to prove their jurisdiction by it. Did not 
the council feel this difficulty in its full force ? They ground 



49 

their decision on no article of the platform, proved or su/ijios- 
ed to be broken by me ; but themselves first form a canon, 
and declare the pastor to have infringed it, and proceed to 
his deposition. Had they appealed to the platform they would 
have been arrested in a score of places which assert the suffi- 
ciency of scripture, as a rule of faith ; which charge the 
churches to abide'by it as such, and to be cautious of admit- 
ting any other authoritative rule of faith. 

Will they ask, What then meant the Saybrook fathers by 
their confession of faith ? I answer promptly, they meant it 
for example^ not for authority. They had the same design, 
as writers of German confessions before them professed to 
have had, to declare their own views of scripture, not to im- 
pose them upon others. 

Shall I be charged with indifference to truth ? with adopt- 
ing the loose and profane maxim, That it matters not what a 
man believes ? I adopt no such principle ; I feel no such in- 
difference. Nay, I regard inquiry after truth, not only an in- 
alienable privilege, but an indispensable duty. It is urged 
upon me in the word of God by many solemn charges ; and 
the nature and influence of truth upon heart and conduct 
declare its importance. And it is not sufficient that I adopt 
truth at secondhand; that I take it upon trust from men of 
great mind and unquestioned piety, or from the confessions of 
councils and synods. As I would answer it to God and to con- 
science, I must receive truth not upon human, but divine au- 
thority ; and therefore must search for it, not in the creeds of 
men, but in the word of God. 

With the greatest propriety might I retort upon my accus- 
ers the charge of indifference to truth. For what is this zeal 
for creeds, expressed in human terms, but indifference, if not 
to divine truth, at least to the sacred garb in which heaven has 
clothed it ? 

It is a precious hope which I indulge, that the sufferings 
and privations which I have sustained will awaken the atten- 
tion of the pubiick mind, and lead the churches to serious con- 
sideration. Liberty of conscience and the right of private 
judgment are things sacred; he is chargeable with profane- 
ness, who parts with the divine birthright. Let all who prize 
the liberty tvith which Christ has, made them free, in this grand 
7 



50 

respect guard it against all imposition of the few, and of the 
many. 

If the declaration above alluded to be correct, that a minis- 
ter cannot subsist in Connecticut, who presumes to differ 
from the general opinions embraced by the clergy and church- 
es, the free exercise of private judgment is at an end. It is 
in vain that you be indulged the free reading of the scrip- 
tures, if you be denied the privilege of interpreting them. It 
is in vain that you search for doctrines in the word of God, 
if you must resign them for the dogmas in the creeds of men. 
In a word, if the minister and the private christian must be- 
lieve, that is, interpret scripture, precisely as the church, %k 
the elders, as the Consociation, as the General Association 
shall dictate, then farewell protestantism. We behold the es- 
tablishment of papacy in Connecticut with this difference, 
that for a pope in one man, we have a pope composed of ma- 
ny ; and instead of the secular arm brandishing the torch and 
turning the wheel, we have deposition from office and loss of 
living ; we have the more harmless, yet still dreadful thunder 
of censure and excommunication. 

If this be a desirable state of things ; if this be the best 
method of promoting the knowledge and the- experience of 
true religion ; if the papal maxim be just, that ignorance is 
the mother of devotion ; then no alarm need be entertained by 
the religious publick on account of this bold assumption of 
power over conscience ; and this claim of infallibility to some ? 
and denial of private judgment to others. 

My fathers and brethren of the first council will indulge me 
in a few words addressed to them on an occasion of much in- 
terest to them and me. Through this whole narrative, I have 
not been unmindful of our mutual respect and friendship in 
years past. You must not construe the fervour with which 
I attempt to plead the cause of truth and liberty into any 
change of my affectionate sentiments towards you. It is not 
among my maxims, that there can be no unity of affection 
without unity of opinion. Nor is it my custom always to as- 
cribe conduct the most incorrect to principles the most de- 
praved. I impeach not your sincerity on this lamented occa- 
sion ; I trust you have acted according to the dictates of con- 
science. But at the same time I feel the deepest conviction of 



51 

the irregularity of your proceeding, and the most painful ap- 
• prehension'of the consequences, inauspicious to the cause of 
Christ our common Lord and Master, which may result from 
it. Is it sufficient that you were sincere ? Paul verily thought 
that he ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus 
of Nazareth ; that he must persecute men, women and chil- 
dren, and drag them to prison and to death. And in more 
modern times, Calvin, another great and pious man, on ac- 
count of difference of opinion, thought proper to countenance* 
if not to procure the death of Servetus at the stake. My 
brethren will not esteem Paul or -Calvin as blameless in this 
unhallowed zeal, because they were conscientious. Paul at 
least, in the most humiliating terms, lamented and condemn- 
ed his conduct. Suffer me then to beseech you to review the 
part you have acted in reference to the pastor and church in 
Coventry. Consider the advice given to the church's com- 
mittee at Willington. I offered a mutual council ; was it 
just to disregard that offer ? I remonstrated against Consocia- 
tion with uniform usage to support me ; was it candid and 
fraternal, and according to the golden rule, to advise the 
church to call it ? 

Consider the countenance given to schism on the part of a 
few of my charge. Was it unknown to you, that the church 
as well as society were satisfied and, as I indulge the hope, edi- 
fied by my preaching, before unwearied pains on the part of 
two members had awakened suspicion ? Can the step be recon- 
ciled with a multitude of exhortations in the sacred scriptures, 
to preserve the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace ; to 
mark them that cause divisions and offentes^th-aX is, occasions 
of stumbling, contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned^ 
and avoid them, that you immediately lent your support to the 
utmost extent of their wishes ; and this without one effort to 
enlighten, to convince, or to admonish the pastor, if you es- 
teemed him an erring brother ! 

It is the observation of one of the most eminent Scotch di- 
vines and biblical cri ticks, that "no person who, in the spirit 
of candour and charity, adheres to that which, to the best of his 
judgment, is right, though in this opinion he should be mis- 
taken, is, in the scriptural sense either schismatick or here 



52 

lick ; he, on the contrary, whatever seethe belongs to, is more 
entitled to these odious appellations, who is apt to throw the 
imputation on others. Both terms, for they denote only diffe- 
rent degrees of the same bad quality, always indicate a dis- 
position unfriendly to peace, harmony and love." If this be 
a just account of heresy according to the scriptures, and I 
hope you will carefully examine to see, you will have reason 
to fear that you have been aiding schism and abetting heresy. 
" We must beware lest we misconceive or pervert the scrip- 
tures on this head, and through blind zeal make conscience of 
doing wrong. It is possible we may condemn sound doctrine 
on pretence of love of truth ; and may reject those whom we 
ought to think their Master receives ; and may refuse com- 
munion on earth to those whom we ought to be willing to take 
with us to heaven ; and whom, if the mercy of God to his err- 
ing, offending creatures permits us to arrive there, we shall, 
notwithstanding our present shyness and aversion, or denuncia- 
tions and anathemas, be obliged to meet in that happy place, 
and be ready to acknowledge as even better men than our- 
selves." 

The application of a church has something in it imposing, 
and may have misled you to a conclusion too hasty. It is to 
be lamented that the church makes so small a part of the so- 
ciety, and the male members so small a part of the church. 
But piety is not exclusively confined to the church, nor zeal 
and sincerity to the male professors. If the wishes, if the 
tears and supplications of the great majority of my charge 
were entitled to tenderness and consideration, it can be no 
subject of pleasing reflexion to you, that they were disre- 
garded. 

But I forbear ; and only add my sincere prayer to God, that 
he would guide both you and me into all necessary truth, and 
preserve us from fatal errour ; that he w r ould prosper your 
ministrations to the salvation of your people ; that he would 
graciously prevent or heal divisions in your charges ; and save 
you, in the decline of life, from the bitter affliction of being 
separated from those you love in the Lord. 

The pastoral relation is one of the most sacred and endear- 
ing upon earth ; and when the minister and people have long 
lived together in mutual esteem and affection, the ties which 



53 

bind them are tender beyond expression. A thousand cir- 
cumstances, better felt than described, have had an influence 
upon the parties. Their weekly assemblies ; his visits in the 
chambers of the sick ; his instructions, sympathy and condo- 
lence in the chambers of death and mourning ; sweet counsel 
imparted to minds in the different states of alarm, conviction, 
comfort and joy in believing ; and even the solemn admoni- 
tion and painful rebuke given to the careless and profane ; 
have been means of annually extending and improving the at- 
tachment of pastor and people. So that when they come to- 
gether every pew presents to his eye some interesting object, 
and recals to his mind some painful or joyous association. 
These are circumstances in almost every minister's case, of 
equal importance to his comfort and usefulness. But I feel 
them at this time painfully ; and adding to these the many af- 
flictive circumstances attending the close of my ministry, and 
'Jie agitated sensibility of pastor and people, I have thought it 
difficult, if not impossible, and therefore inexpedient to at- 
tempt to express, in the place of our solemnities, my parting 
counsel and benediction. It will not therefore be thought im- 
proper, I hope, that I close this pamphlet with a brief address 
to my late charge. 

Beloved friends and fellow christians, 
Sixteen years of the meridian of my life I have devoted to 
your service ; with what sincerity and zeal on my part, and 
with what improvement on yours, it now seriously concerns 
us both to inquire. The connexion is dissolved ; and my min- 
istry should be the subject of solemn review, that we may 
learn how I have preached and how you have heard, not for 
the purpose of mutual crimination, but that each of us may 
prepare to give account of himself to God. It becomes us all, 
my brethren, and each, to acknowledge, If I justify myself 
mine own mouth shall condemn me ; if I say I am perfect, it 
shall alsoftrove me fitrverse. Let us all look up to the God 
and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who remembereth that 
we are dust, with humble confession and supplication, and 
hope of his mercy. 

With much imperfection I have laboured among you ; but 
have kept back nothing that I thought profitable unto you for 



54 

doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in right- 
eousness ; for the alarm of the sinner, and for the comfort of 
the mourner for sin. Subjects on which I have laboured to 
fix your minds and hearts are the perfections, and providence, 
and government of the God of heaven; his grace displayed in 
the character and offices of Jesus his only begotten son and 
brightest image, of Christ and him crucified ; the truth and 
authority of the sacred scriptures, which holy men of God 
spake and recorded, as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. 
I have dwelt much on those doctrines, which Christ commend- 
ed to the first preachers as the sum of the gospel, repent- 
ance and remission of sins. I have laboured to enforce upon 
you the necessity of the christian temper in all its branches, 
and of obedience to all the moral and positive precepts of the 
gospel. To carry alarm to the careless and profane, and to 
animate the dull christian and cheer the gloomy, I have made 
my frequent appeal to the world to come, and by the terrours 
and mercies of the Lord persuaded men to be reconciled to 
God. I have exhorted you to godliness with fervour, as if 
your salvation depended upon your own exertions ; yet have 
shown you that, when you have done all, you will be unprofit- 
able servants, and must look for the mercy oj our Lord Jesus 
Christ unto eternal life. These, and subjects correlative and 
branching from them, have been the most frequent themes of 
my addresses to you. I have repeated them, my brethren, as 
articles of self examination. In what manner, and with what 
effect have you listened to these great doctrines of grace and 
salvation ? What influence have they manifestly had upon 
your hearts and your lives ? and what fruits meet for repent- 
ance have you displayed ? and what evidence of the faith, 
which works by love, which purifies the heart, and overcomes 
the world, have you to appeal to, as the ground of your per- 
sonal comfort, and as the reason to others of the hope that is 
in you ? I earnestly press upon you this solemn inquiry, and 
beseech you that my feeble but well meant labours may not 
be in vain in the Lord. 

This much by way of review. How shall I utter the ten- 
der solicitude which I feel, in contemplating your present 
circumstances. Sheep you are nvithout a shepherd. Such a 
state of the flock is always perilous, even when the hand of 



55 

God is more directly visible in the bereavement. Somewhat 
more delicate and critical are your circumstances. The state 
of the church and society for months past has been most un- 
happy ; it has gendered animosity ; it has effected a high de- 
gree of irritation ; it has tended to separate chief friends ; 
and to occasion shiness and suspicion. My heart revolts from 
the picture. O my brethren, I offer myself a suppliant with 
you all, and entreat you to be calm, and candid, and concilia- 
tory ; to consult the things which make for peace ; and to 
heal the mutual wounds with which you are bleeding. Re- 
member that you are brethren, and are associated with each 
other in civil and sacred bonds, which you have a common in- 
terest not to sever, and not to render galling and painful. I 
have seen you all united and happy ; it was the golden season 
of our connexion. Let there be a faithful effort to regain that 
pleasant state, so friendly to the exercise of gospel graces. 
To this end, you must with one Consent bury the past ; ex- 
tinguish the coals of sti'ife ; stifle the voice of crimination ; 
and, as far as possible, suppress the rising thought of sus- 
picion. Accept the counsel of Peter — Laying aside all malice, 
and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speak- 
ings, as new born babes desire the sincere milk of the word, 
that ye may grow thereby ; and the advice of Paul — You that 
are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to 
please yourselves. Let not things unessential and offensive 
be urged to the widening of the breach ; nor innovations at- 
tempted at a season, when they will be regarded with jealousy 
and disgust. How dignified and gentle was Paul; If meal, 
make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world 
standeth, lest I make my brother to offend. Like him, consent 
to wave some things, which you desire, and which to you may 
seem nourishing, if to others they tje offensive and occasions 
of stumbling. That great apostle had other maxims of con- 
duct, which properly understood are admirable to guide the 
private christian, as well as the minister — To become all things 
to all men and to please a neighbour for his good to edification. 
This last maxim he recommends by the highest example ; 
For even Christ, he adds, pleased ?iot himself. 

These sacred hints, my brethren, if adopted, will have ad- 
mirable influence in composing your agitations. Let the law 



of kindness be in your hearts and its speech distil from 
tongues, and mutual condescension bow your hearts together. 
Happy end ! which most devoutly I desire to see attained. 
And this not chiefly for the blessing and comfort of peace, 
great and desirable as they are ; but that you may be in a 
state favourable to the resettlement of the gospel among you ; 
that you may happily unite in the election and support of a 
man after God's own heart, who may feed you with knowledge 
and understanding. Much of my solicitude and affliction will 
be relieved should I be so blessed as to see you in the- care 
of a faithful minister. 

In the mean time, apply diligently to that living fountain of 
divine truth, the sacred scriptures, to which it has been my 
ceaseless object to direct and urge you. Here you will find 
truth unperverted and pure ; and discern what you must be to 
be christians, and what you shall be^ if you attain that high and 
blessed character. I can never sufficiently recommend them* 
nor you with zeal and patience proportioned to their impor- 
tance study them. It is a character given of a portion of the 
scriptures that they are hard to be understood ; but be cau^ 
tious never to wrest them ; and remember for your relief, that 
the most intelligible parts are the most important ; and that 
the path of truth and conduct essential for you to discover and 
pursue in order to salvation, the prophet describes, as a high 
<way so plain that wayfaring men though fools shall not err 
therein. 

It must not be forgotten that it is not more your privilege 
than it is your duty, to judge of yourselves what is right and 
true. You cannot therefore innocently resign this right to 
others, or wrest it from them. On this point most cordially 
do I approve and recommend the thoughts of that excellent 
man of God, Dr. Doddridge. " Truth is indeed too sacred a 
thing ever to be denied on any consideration ; and so far as we 
are in our own consciences persuaded that any particular truth 
is important, neither honour nor charity will allow us to give 
k up, as a point of mere indifferent speculation. Let us there- 
fore ever be ready, when properly called out to the service, 
to plead its cause in the name of the God of truth ; but let it 
be in a manner worthy of him, a manner which may not of- 
fend him as the God of love. And let us be greatly upon our 



guard that we do not condemn cur brethren, as having forfeit- 
ed all title to the name of christians, because their creeds or 
confessions of faith do not come up to the standard of our 
own. Yea, if it were in a matter which seemed of so great 
importance as to give us some room to suspect that the mis- 
take were fatal, (which surely nothing can be that doss not 
greatly affect men's temper and conduct towards God and 
each other) even that consideration should engage us to gen- 
tleness and tenderness, rather than severity to them ; if per- 
adventure our friendly and respectful carriage may gain such 
a happy ascendant over their minds, as to remove their preju- 
dices against our reasons." 

My beloved people, it would gratify my feelings to prolong 
this address ; to indulge the effusion of an affectionate, grate- 
ful, and anxious heart in counsels and consolations suited to 
every age, and class, and character. But I must not too far in- 
trude on the patience of the publick. Suffer me to admonish 
you, and I desire to have it continually in my own mind, that 
we shall soon stand together before the judgment seat of 
Christ ; may roe find mercy of the Lord in that day. Be 
watchful^ therefore, and strengthen the things which remain, 
that are ready to die. Remember how thou hast received, and 
heard, and hold fast, and repent. Be animated by the promise, 
He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white rai- 
ment ; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, 
but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his 
angels. If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any 
comfort of love, if any fellowship, of the spirit, if any bowels 
and mercies, fulfil ye my joy, that ye belike minded, having 
the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing 
be done through strife or vain glory ; but in lowliness of mind 
let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every 
man on his own things, but every man on the things of others. 

Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, 
be of one mind, live in peace ; and the God of love and peace 
shall be with you. 



\ 



APPENDIX. 



No. I. 

The following extracts, consonant with the design of many 
of the remarks in the preceding pages, are taken from " a 
Discourse on the Christian Union," by the late President 
Stiles, who was ve^y highly esteemed by all the clergy in 
Connecticut, and whose praise is in the churches. 

" We agree in the belief of the inspiration of the scrip- 
tures—we believe that they contain an authentic and the only 
infallible account of the whole system of revelation made from 
time to time to mankind — and that they are a sufficient rule 
of faith and practice. Our churches, God be thanked, are not 
yet deeply tinged with deism — may God preserve them pure ! 
And as they yet retain the popular belief of revelation, which 
will abide the most severe scrutiny, so they accept the scrip- 
tures as an infallible rule. It is indeed a little unhappy, that 
like others in the christian world, some of us are fond of substi- 
tuting human interpretations given by authority of councils and 
learned men, exacting that the sacred scriptures be understood 
according to senses fitted and defined in human tests, which all 
acknowledge to be fallible. But it is to be hoped that we shall 
stand fast in the liberty wherewith the gospel has made us 
free. There ought to be no restrictions on the conscience of 
an honest and sober believer of revelation. The right of con- 
science and private judgment is unalienable : And it is truly 
the interest of all mankind to unite themselves into one body 
for the liberty, free exercise and unmolested enjoyment of this 
right, especially in religion. Not all the difference of senti- 
ment, not all the erroneous opinions that have yet been started, 
afford just umbrage for its extinction, abridgement or embar- 
rassment. Have the protestant formularies subserved the de- 
fence of the truth as it is in Jesus ? Rather have they not in 
event proved new sources of religious dispute and undeter- 
minable controversy ? The churches of Geneva have long 
since had the wisdom to drop this article of consensus, as the 
great disturbance of the christian harmony. And the clergy- 
have found themselves obliged to interpret the Helvetic, and 
all other protestant confessions, in the scripture sense, with a 
divinis veritatibus in hoc libro contends subscribo. I am sa- 
tisfied we shall err less if we make the scriptures the only 
rule of faith, than if we depart from this, and substitute 
another ; or as many do, who say they believe the scrips 
tures the only rule, and yet in all their judgments on 



60 

scripture, measure that only rule by an at her rule. Nor do 
substituted rules answer the purpose of detecting heretics at 
all better than the primary rule, since on experience it is 
found none more freely subscribe and swear to human tests 
than deists, sceptics, and the most debauched. If God's in- 
closure will not keep out the erroneous, can it be expected 
that ours will ? The universal pretext is a preservation against 
heresy. But it is to be remarked, that human tests make 
more heretics than the word of God— all that the one deter- 
mines to be heresy, is not heresy by the scriptures. A man 
may be a very great heretic according to the one, and an ex- 
cellent christian according to the other at the same time. St. 
Paul was one of the greatest heretics, and even gloried in his 
heresy, and yet was one of the best of christians. The Wei* 
denses were heretics. The Protestants are all heretics with 
the Romanists, according to the council of Trent. All that 
can be advanced for public human tests among protestants. 
can and has been advanced with equal force for those of the 
Romanists : For it is not so much the real truth or error con* 
tained in these tests and formularies that is contested, as the 
authority by which they are imposed, which is only human, 
and therefore not obligatory on conscience." 
"Our churches acknowledge no jurisdiction ofsisterchurch.es 
over them ; but hold themselves both capable, and to have 
power to determine all matters of difference that arise in a 
particular church. For in truth, in religion we ought all to 
be free ; and consequently not the religious speculative opin- 
ions of a christian, one that honestly believes revelation, ought 
to be deemed the subject of ecclesiastical animadversion in 
the church, and little else besides his morals. And this every 
church is a complete judge of, and perhaps is seldom mistak- 
en. And if we go beyond this, neither single churches, nor a 
body? nor ecumenical councils can determine : As is evident 
from an experiment through the long tract of time from the 
council of JV?ce to that of Trent. It must be confessed in- 
deed, that our churches have sometimes taken on them the 
decision of matters, which all the power and wisdom on earth 
cannot determine till the second coming of Christ. But what- 
ever is within the capacity of mortals to determine, respect- 
ing the christian dicipline, the brethren are sufficient judges 
of. Or if they may sometimes be at a loss, they have recourse 
to the opinion and advice of such council as they think fit to 
consult, reserving to themselves a liberty to receive or refuse 
such advice when given. And with this assistance they can 
determine any thing and every thing that can be determined 
by mortals, whether they confine themselves to what proper- 
Iy belongs to them ; or whether they enlarge into things 
%yhich God perhaps has not determined for us, and never in- 
tended mortals should determine for one another.' 5 



61 

"There was indeed in the year 1705, an attempt or propo- 
sal to subordinate the whole body of our churches to the ju- 
risdiction of consociation, with final r^ppeal to a general pro- 
vincial consociation, in which all controversies were to take 
an ultimate issue and decision. But these proposals met with 
insuperable opposition, from the spirit of liberty. Dr. Cotton 
Mather speaking of them says, "there were some very con- 
siderable persons among the ministers, as well as brcth 
who thought the liberties of particular churches to be in 
ger of being too much limited and infringed in them. 
in deference to these good men, the proposals were r 
prosecuted. To these proposals of erecting spiritual jud 
tories, the reverend and learned Mr. John Wise of Ipsv 
made a very spirited reply, in a satyr, entitled " The chore 
quarrel espoused,' 5 in which he shows that the vesting or 
eociations with judiciary and decisive powers, wouid in ; :i. 
sue be the abolition of Congregationalism. And there 
reason to think this gentleman was an enemy to our churches 
It was early seen to be important, that our churches should 
be censociated ; but whether for the purposes of harmony 
oniy, or dominion, was as early the question. For it was seen 
that whatever power was ceded to the standing council, just 
so much was taken away from particular churches ; and this 
clashed with the principle, that every church had power to 
decide its own controversies." 

" Though it [consociation] failed in the Massachusetts, yet 
two years after, it was resumed and carried into execution 
among the churches of Connecticut, which at this time were, 
as I take it, universally congregationalists, though several of 
the principal ministers were inclined to the preshyterian rule 
and government of churches. There were at this time about 
40 churches in that colony. On the recommendation of the 
provincial legislature, which had been previously procured,* 
the fia£ tors and messengers of the church in the four counties 
assembled in four separate conventions, and draughted or pass- 
ed four prepared models of church discipline, as nearly re- 
sembling that of 1705 as the spirit of the churches and pas- 
tors would admit, for several of the principal pastors were 
truly congregational. These separate conventions delegated 
each perhaps two or more pastors with their respective mes- 
sengers, to meet in a general convention, and compose out of 
the several remitted models a plan of discipline for public 
establishment. These delegates from the county conventions 
assembled at Say brook in 1708, to the number of perhaps 10 
or 12 pastors, and perhaps twice as many messengers.;- This 

Very much through the influences of the honourable Gurdon S&ltonstalf, 
Esq. governor of the colonv, a learned divine, who had been foYmerlv one of 
the pastors. 

t There were otftyft 



62 

synod adopted the Savoy confession* with tne heads qf agree- 
ment, which happily united the presbyterian and congregation- 
al brethren in England. Had they stopt here, the liberty of 
the churches had been secure. They also from the public 
sense, collected as above, composed articles for the adminis- 
tration of church discipline. I have been told that the model 
from New Haven county, said to have been draughted princi- 
pally by the reverend Mr. James Pier/ioint, was that which 
with some amendments passed the synod. The synod having 
thus combined together the confession, heads of agree ??ie?it, and 
articles for discipline, as an ecclesiastical constitution, it was 
recommended by the general assembly of the colony, and re- 
ceived by most of the churches. A subsequent act of the 
general assembly has declared such churches as accede to 
this constitution, to have a legal establishment in that colony, 
not however exclusive of Congregationalism, which has equal- 
ly a legal establishment. Thus there are three forms of re- 
ligion established in the German empire. In virtue of this 
agreement and constitution, the acceding churches were re- 
solved into four consociations, which arc now increased to 
nine. These consociations consist of two estates, the ininis- 
ters and messengers, m effect separate in their acts ; for 
though they sit, deliberate and vote together in council, yet 
their acts arc of separate import; for being two distinct 
bodies in point of cognizance and jurisdiction, they are so 
vested with a negative on each other, that the concurrence of 
both in a certain new manner is necessary to complete an act 
of council. There at present subsists a difference of senti- 
ment among worthy and pious men, who are real friends to 
the churches, respecting the powers of churches, and the pow- 
ers of consociatioTis, which shall subordinate when in competi- 
tion. This difference of sentiment I take to be very little 
among the churches, nor between the pastors and churches in 
general, but chiefly among the venerable clergy. The 
churches as I take it make no question with respect to their 
own plenary and uncontrollable power. The present differ- 
ence among the pastors might be healed by charity and ami- 
cable condescensions, with the retention of their respective 
judgments as was done the last century upon the differences 
between the presbyterian and congregational pastors as to 
church power. The litigation of pastoral controversies unes- 
poused by the churches, especially on the subject of the pas- 
toral powers, excepting those with which they are evidently 
invested by the great head of the church, is peculiarly unhap- 
py in the present rapid increase of our churches, when it is 
our true interest for both pastors and churches to be cement- 

* Formed and agreed to by 120 congregational churches in England, assem- 
bled by their messengers in the Savoy, London, 1658. 



63 

ed by benevolence rind union- The pretext on one side is 
heresy : But heresy is to be encountered in this age by rea- 
soning and appeals to the sacred oracles, not by the decisions 
of uninspired councils. If councils were by the explicit vol- 
untary act of the churches vested with ten times more authori- 
ty than is claimed for them by their warmest advocates, they 
could never decide the point. The scriptures are the only 
rule of protestants. 

" But whatever be the pretexts on either side, the powers 
of the consociations being not known in the scriptures, are to 
be determined by an appeal to the platform that constitutes 
them. And in order to judge of this we must enter into the 
sense and design with which it was conceived, and that in 
which it w r as adopted by the churches, that we may reconcile 
those parts of it which interfere with, if they do not contra- 
dict one another. Taken literally, it in the first place stipu- 
lates the absolute unsubordinate power of particular churches. 
It afterwards vests the consociated council with authorative 
final decision on all matters of discipline submitted to it by 
the churches of the circuit. It at length vests the council 
with general and original jurisdiction on "all occasions eccle- 
siastical. " It should seem also by some expressions, that it is 
vested with the poiver of the keys, the power of declaring 
noncommunion on a particular church. Now the question is, 
whether this amounts to transferring the power out of the 
churches into the council, in which they are thus represent- 
ed ? If it does, then there is a contradiction. And the next 
question is, upon a competition, which shall loose their pow- 
er, the particular churches, or the consociation ? The decisive 
power when assembled, and the power to assemble uncalled 
upon " all occasions ecclesiastical" , if bona fide ceded by the 
churches, amounts in my opinion to an entire and absolute 
surrendery of all power and liberty from the churches, and 
may in time be claimed and demanded. For with such power 
the consociations may interdict any ecclesiastical process in 
the churches on any ecclesiastical matter, and with such pro- 
hibition remove it out of the hands of a particular church into 
the council. There remains then but one way in which the 
liberties of the churches are by this constitution secured, and 
if this be closed, their power and privilege is a cypher, viz. that 
the standing council have no power but when called, and on 
the matters only submitted by the church, even this would be 
a surrendery of more power than is ceded to congregational 
councils, which are advisory only in their results ; whereas 
the consociated councils are decisive in matters submitted by 
the churches. Whatever was the sense of the churches in 
adopting it, it is pretty evident that the platform itself is in- 
terlined with a clause vesting the consociation, not only with 
the decision when called by the inviting; church, but with orig 



64 

inal jurisdiction upon -all matters ecclesiastical," unless the 
phrase " all occasions ecclesiastical" be limited to discipline, 
or interpreted in subordination to the fundamental principle 
of the union, the uncontrollable power of particular churches. 
"Let us then consider the sense in which it was received 
by the churches. And here we are to remark, that the plat- 
form itself provides and stipulates, that none of our particular 
churches shall be subordinate to one another, each being en- 
dowed with equality of power from Jesus Christ: And that 
none of the said particular churches, their officer or officers, 
shall exercise power or have any superiority over any other 
church or their officers." This was the basis of the union ; 
securing this, they agreed to unite in social confederacy and 
fellowship. If any subsequent expressions intermixed in the 
articles of agreement should seem to interfere with, and con- 
tradict this principle, so as to transfer eventually the power 
out of the particular church in its individuate capacity, is it 
to be supposed the churches ratified them ? rather is it not 
to be supposed that they interpret them in a sense subordinate 
to the first principle ?" ^ 

" Let the consociations be advisory only to the churches ; 
it might have a friendly influence ; an influence which one 
would think would content the ecclesiastical councils. But 
even this let it be remembered, would be but*a human device 
of polity, neither prescribed or suggested by Christ or his 
apostles ; and having nothing of divine in it, not being so much 
as an ordinance of God, but a voluntary agreement only of 
men. And consequently the decisions and results of councils 
ought not to be put off upon the churches as an ordinance of 
the Most High, who is never to be brought in to patronize the 
fallible decrees of mortals uninspired) which arc sometimes 
delivered to the churches in the name of God, with strong ex- 
pressions, importing that the contempt and disobedience of 
them is contempt and disobedience of the Most High. Nee 
Deus intevsit nisi digitus vindice nodus. There needs the utmost 
caution least the opinions and canons cf councils be conceiv- 
ed in this light." 

" In faithfulness therefore to posterity and the truth, every 
present generation should teach their rising offspring the 
essential difference between what arises from human policy 
and the institutes of heaven : And that as the Most High has 
not vested any order of men since the apostolic age with 
divine infallible authority, so none of their decisions on 
or about religion partake in the least degree of infallibil- 
ity, not even the churches themselves in their particular or 
aggregate capacity : The ecclesiastical councils have no au- 
thority unless imparted by the churches, and this though ec- 
clesiastical, yet not divine : And that if ever this be ceded or 
given up to the degree of controlling particular churches in a 



65 

perpetual constitution, posterity will again date the death of 
liberty from that unhappy era, till future vigorous struggles 
and united combined exertions of the public spirit shall re- 
sume it into those hands where God and nature placed it. 
The exigencies of the christian church can never be such as 
to legitimate, much less render it wise, to erect any body 
of men into a standing judicatory ever the churches." 

" To sum up the whole, it appears from above, 1. That our 
churches were originally free and independent of one anoth- 
er. 2. That any plan of confederacy is just what is was 
agreed, explicitly received and understood to be by the con- 
federating churches. 3. That such confederacy, whatever be 
its form, is not jure divino, but entirely human and prudential ; 
and was never designed to interfere with the independence 
and prerogative powers of particular churches. 4. Least of 
all was it designed to regulate articles of faith, it being one 
of the fundamental and explicit declarations of the churches, 
and even of the platforms, that the scriptures alone are the 

ONLY RULE OF FAITH." 



No. II. 

The following are the articles of church discipline agreed 
upon at Saybrook, Sept. 1708. 

" I. That the elder, or elders, of a particular church, with 
the consent of the brethren of the same, have power and ought 
to exercise church discipline, according to the rule of God's 
word, in relation to all scandals, that fall out within the same. 
And it may be meet in all cases of difficulty, for the respec- 
tive pastors of particular churches, to take advice of the 
elders of the churches in the neighbourhood, before they pro- 
ceed to censure in such cases. 

" II. That the churches which are neighbouring each to 
other, shall consociafe for mutual affording to each other such 
assistance, as may be requisite, upon all occasions ecclesias- 
tical. And that the particular pastors and churches, within 
the respective counties in this government, shall be one con- 
sociation (or more if they shall judge meet) for the end afore- 
said. 

" III. That all cases of scandal, that fall out within the cir- 
cuit of any of the aforesaid consociations shall be brought to a 
council of the elders, and also messengers of the churches 
within the said circuit, i. e. the churches of one consociation, 
if they see cause to send messengers, when there shall be 
need of a council for the determination of them. 
9 



66 

a IV. That, according; to the common practice of our 
churches, nothing shall be deemed an act or judgment of any 
council, which hath not the act of the major part of the elders 
present concurring, and such a number of the messengers pre- 
sent, as makes the majority of the council: provided that if 
any such church shall not see cause to send any messengers 
to the council, or the persons chosen by them shall not at- 
tend, neither of these shall be any obstruction to the proceed* 
ings of the council, or invalidate any of their acts. 

"V. That when any case is orderly brought before any 
council of the churches, it shall there be heard and determined 
which (unless orderly removed from thence) shall be a final 
issue ; and all parties therein concerned shall sit down and be 
determined thereby. And the council so hearing, and giving 
the result or final issue, in the said case as aforesaid, shall see 
their determination or judgment duly executed and attended, 
in such way or manner, as shall in their judgment be most 
suitable and agreeable to the word of God. 

" VI. That if any pastor and church doth obstinately refuse a 
due attendance and conformity to the determination of the coun- 
cil, that hath the cognizance of the case, and determineth it as 
above, after due patience used, they shall be reputed guilty of 
scandalous contempt, and dealt with as the rule of God's word 
in such case doth provide, and the sentence of non-communion 
shall be declared against such pastor and church. And the 
churches are to approve of the said sentence by withdrawing 
from the communion of the pastor and church which so refus- 
ed to be healed. 

" VII. That in case any difficulties shall arise in any of the 
churches in this colony, which cannot be issued without con- 
siderable disquiet, that church, in which they arise (or that 
minister or member aggrieved with them,) shall apply them- 
selves to the council of the consociated churches of the cir* 
cuit to which the said church belongs, who, if they see cause 
shall thereupon convene, hear and determine such cases of 
difficulty, unless the matter brought before them shall he 
judged so great in the nature of it, or so doubtful in the issue, 
or of such general concern, that the said council shall judge 
best that it be referred to a fuller council, consisting of the 
churches of the other consociation within the same county, (or 
of the next adjoining consociation of another county, if there 
be not two consociations in the county where the difficulty 
ariseth) who, together with themselves, shall hear, judge, de- 
termine, and finally issue such case according to the word of 
God. 

" VIII. That a particular church, in which any difficulty 
doth arise, may, if they see cause, call a council of the conso- 
ciated churches of the circuit to which the church belongs, 
before they proceed to sentence therein ; but there is not the 



67 

same liberty to an offending- brother, to call the council, before 
the church to which he belongs proceed to excommunication 
in the said case, unless with the consent of the church. 

"IX. That all the churches of the respective consociations 
shall choose, if they see cause, one or two members of each 
church, to represent them in the councils of the said churches, 
as occasion may call for them, who shall stand in that capacity, 
till new be chosen for the same service, unless any church 
shall incline to choose their messengers anew upon the con- 
vening of such councils. 

" X. That the minister or ministers of the county towns, or 
where there are no ministers in such towns, the two next minis- 
ters to the said town, shall, as soon as conveniently may be, ap- 
point time and place for the meeting of the elders and messen- 
gers of the churches in said county, in order to their forming 
themselves into one or more consociations, and notify the time 
and place to the elders and churches of that county who shall 
attend at the same, the elders in their persons, and the church- 
es by their messengers, if they see cause to send them. Which 
elders and messengers so assembled in council, as also any 
other council hereby allowed of, shall have power to adjourn 
themselves, as need shall be, for the space of one year, after 
the beginning or first session of the said council, and no lon- 
ger. And that minister who was chosen at the last session 
of any council to be moderator, shall, with the advice and con- 
sent of two more elders (or in case of the moderator's death, 
any two elders of the same consociation) call another council 
within the circuit, when they shall judge there is need thereof. 
And all councils may prescribe rules as occasion may require, 
and whatever they judge needful within their circuit for the 
well performing and orderly managing the several acts to be at- 
tended by them, or matters that come under their cognizance. 

"XI. That if any person or persons orderly complained of 
to a council, or that are witnesses to such complaints, (having 
regular notification to appear) shall refuse, or neglect so to 
do in the place and at the time specified in the warning given, 
except they or he give some satisfying reason thereof to the 
said council, they shall be judged guilty of scandalous con- 
tempt. 

"XII. That the teaching elders of each county shall be one 
association, (or more if they see cause,) which association or 
associations shall assemble twice a year at least, at such' time 
and place as they shall appoint, to consult the duties of their 
office and the common interest of the churches, who shall con- 
sider and resolve questions and cases of importance which 
shall be offered by any among themselves or others ; who ;;lso 
shall have power of examining and recommending the candi- 
dates of the ministry to the work thereof, 



68 

" XIII. That the said associated pastors shall take notice oi 
any among themselves that may be accused of scandal or here- 
sy, unto or cognizable by them, examine the matter carefully, 
and if they find just occasion shall direct to the calling of the 
council, where such offenders shall be duly proceeded against. 

"XIV. That the associated pastors shall also be consulted 
by bereaved churches belonging to their association, and re- 
commend to such churches such persons as may be fit to be 
called and settled in the work of the gospel ministry among 
them. And if such bereaved churches shall not seasonably 
call and settle a minister among them, the said associated pas- 
tors shall lay the state of such bereaved church before the 
general assembly of this colony, that they may take order 
concerning them, as shall be found necessary for their peace 
and edification. 

" XV. That i be recommended as expedient that all the as- 
sociations in this colony do meet in a general association by 
their respective delegates, one or more out of each association, 
once a year, the first meeting to be at Hartford at the general 
election next ensuing the date hereof, and so annually in all 
the counties successively, at such time and place, as they the 
, said delegates shall in their annual meetings appoint." 






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Deacidified using the Bookkeeper pn 
Neutralizing agent: Magnesium Oxid 
Treatment Date: April 2006 

PreservationTechnolo 

A WORLD LEADER IN PAPER PRESER\ 
1 1 1 Thomson Park Drive 
Cranberry Township, PA 1606 
(724)779-2111 












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